Story perspectives

25% Say WHCD Shooting Staged; Trump Denies, Pleads Not Guilty

5/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

A May 2026 NewsGuard/YouGov poll found one-quarter of Americans believe the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting was staged, with 34% of Democrats, 13% of Republicans and 32% of adults 18-29 believing it was a stunt.
President Donald Trump dismissed the conspiracy theories as false in a televised interview.
Cole Tomas Allen pleaded not guilty on May 11, 2026, and stays in custody.
His lawyers asked two Justice Department officials be disqualified from prosecution.

History

Historical Context

Public doubt over the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting echoes the backlash after President John F. Kennedy’s 1963 assassination. The Warren Commission’s 1964 report declared Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, yet a 1966 Gallup poll found 61 % of Americans suspected a broader plot, and the 1979 House Select Committee later deemed a conspiracy probable.

1 of 2

Story summary

A May 2026 NewsGuard/YouGov poll found one-quarter of Americans believe the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting was staged, with 34% of Democrats, 13% of Republicans and 32% of adults 18-29 believing it was a stunt.
President Donald Trump dismissed the conspiracy theories as false in a televised interview.
Cole Tomas Allen pleaded not guilty on May 11, 2026, and stays in custody.
His lawyers asked two Justice Department officials be disqualified from prosecution.

1 / 2