Full Breakdown
Trump Confronts CBS Over Shooter’s Manifesto on 60 Minutes
4/28/2026, 8:17:36 AM
Shooting and 60-Minutes Interview
On April 25, 2026, a gunman breached a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD). The suspect, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, was subdued after firing a shotgun, a handgun and knives. The next day President Donald Trump appeared on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” where correspondent Norah O’Donnell read excerpts from Allen’s alleged manifesto.
Background
The WHCD is an annual gala honoring the First Amendment. The attack follows two prior attempts on Trump’s life in 2024 and was described by officials as politically motivated, with the manifesto listing “administration officials” as targets.
Timeline
- April 25 – Shots fired; Allen arrested.
- April 26 – Trump’s interview; O’Donnell reads the manifesto.
- Within 30 days – Trump urges the White House Correspondents’ Association to reschedule the dinner.
Data & Statistics
Allen carried a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives. Federal prosecutors have charged him with using a firearm during a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer; additional charges are anticipated. About 2,500 guests attended the WHCD; one Secret Service agent was injured but survived. The manifesto runs roughly 1,100 words.
Official Statements & Responses
Trump said he was “not worried,” describing the world as “crazy” while the Secret Service escorted him and First Lady Melania Trump to safety. He praised the agents’ rapid response and called the shooter “incompetent” for being caught. Trump also argued the dinner should be held again within 30 days, warning that canceling it would reward “a crazy person.” White House officials confirmed Allen’s federal charges and said the investigation remains ongoing.
Criticism & Opposition
During the interview Trump called O’Donnell a “disgrace” and labeled the press “horrible people” and “very liberal,” suggesting partisan bias. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich defended Trump’s stance, describing O’Donnell’s questioning as “disgusting demagoguery.” Media analysts, however, contend that the journalist’s role was to provide context for viewers.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Allen’s background: some cite a Caltech degree and part-time teaching at C2 Education, while others rely only on an unverified LinkedIn profile. The manifesto’s content is reported inconsistently; certain outlets highlight anti-Christian rhetoric, others focus solely on the “pedophile, rapist, traitor” passage. The precise number of pending charges varies, with some reports mentioning “many more charges to come.”
Why It Matters
The exchange underscores the strained relationship between the Trump administration and mainstream media and raises questions about security protocols at high-profile events. Rescheduling the WHCD could affect press-government dynamics and public perception of safety at political gatherings.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would, because you’re horrible people. Horrible people,” — Donald Trump, President of the United States
- “I’m not a rapist. I didn’t rape anybody.” — Donald Trump
- “I’m not a pedophile.” — Donald Trump
- “You're a disgrace.” — Donald Trump, addressing Norah O’Donnell
- “The so-called manifesto is a stunning thing to read, Mr. President. He appears to reference a motive in it. He writes this quote, ‘Administration officials, they are targets.’ And he also wrote this, ‘I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.’ What’s your reaction to that?” — Norah O’Donnell, CBS News correspondent
