Story perspectives

Gunman Charged with Trump Assassination Attempt at Dinner

5/18/2026

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Allen Assault

A gunman sprinted past a security magnetometer at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, brandishing a shotgun, handgun and knives.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was charged with attempting to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump and faces a detention hearing Thursday.
An agent shot in the chest survived thanks to a bullet-proof vest, spurring security scrutiny.
Allen appeared in court in a neon-blue jumpsuit, entered no plea and will remain incarcerated.

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Rogan Blames TikTok

Joe Rogan blamed TikTok and social-media culture for surge in conspiracy beliefs that President Donald Trump’s assassination attempts were staged.
Daniel Swain is scheduled to appear in federal court on June 2 for preliminary and detention hearings.
YouGov poll found 42% said Butler shooting staged and 34% said dinner shooting fabricated.
Rogan said believers lack firearms knowledge, citing firefighter Corey Comperatore’s death and media double standards.

Center

Swain Threatens Trump

An unsealed criminal complaint reveals Daniel Swain wrote multiple threats on his BMW, directly calling for President Donald Trump’s death.
Daniel Swain, a 41-year-old U.S. Army veteran, was arrested in North Carolina and faces charges for threatening President Donald Trump.
Police responded after an attendant called 911 to report threatening messages on the vehicle’s windows.
His mother said he has PTSD and is classified as disabled by the military.

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Allen Assault

A gunman sprinted past a security magnetometer at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, brandishing a shotgun, handgun and knives.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was charged with attempting to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump and faces a detention hearing Thursday.
An agent shot in the chest survived thanks to a bullet-proof vest, spurring security scrutiny.
Allen appeared in court in a neon-blue jumpsuit, entered no plea and will remain incarcerated.

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