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Trump Assassination Attempt Suspect Pleads Not Guilty, “Staged” Rumors Surge

5/13/2026

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Allen Pleads Not Guilty

The hashtag “staged” trended on X after the Washington Hilton dinner shooting, despite no evidence of a plot.
Cole Tomas Allen pleaded not guilty to attempted assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington Hilton attack, remaining detained.
A YouGov poll found 24 % of Americans, including 33 % of Democrats, think attack was staged.
Allen’s defender asked the acting attorney general and U.S. attorney to recuse over dinner-attendance conflict.

Right

Allen Bars Prosecutors

Allen’s lawyers moved to bar U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and Attorney General Todd Blanche, citing presence at the Hilton shooting.
Cole Tomas Allen pleaded not guilty to attempted assassination of President Donald Trump and firearms charges in Washington, D.C., court.
The defense says Pirro’s labeling of Trump as primary target and her ties show bias.
The court kept Allen handcuffed, shackled and off suicide watch while he awaits trial.

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Allen Pleads Not Guilty

The hashtag “staged” trended on X after the Washington Hilton dinner shooting, despite no evidence of a plot.
Cole Tomas Allen pleaded not guilty to attempted assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington Hilton attack, remaining detained.
A YouGov poll found 24 % of Americans, including 33 % of Democrats, think attack was staged.
Allen’s defender asked the acting attorney general and U.S. attorney to recuse over dinner-attendance conflict.

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