Attempted Assassination of President Trump at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

On Saturday, April 25, 2026, President Donald Trump was the target of an attempted assassination at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner held at the Washington Hilton Hotel. The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was apprehended by the Secret Service after allegedly attempting to breach security with firearms, and knives.

The Attack and Immediate Response

The incident unfolded as President Trump was in attendance at the annual gala. According to reports, Allen stormed the hotel lobby armed with a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives. Secret Service agents quickly intervened, and at least five to eight gunshots were fired. A Secret Service officer was struck by at least one round but was protected by a bulletproof vest and is expected to recover. President Trump and other officials were safely evacuated from the Washington Hilton following the gunfire.

The Suspect and His Manifesto

Cole Allen has been charged with three felony counts: attempted assassination of the President of the United States, transportation of a firearm and ammunition over state lines with the intent to commit a felony, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence. Authorities discovered a written “manifesto” authored by Allen, detailing his intent to target officials within the Trump administration. The manifesto explicitly named administration officials as targets, prioritizing them from highest-ranking to lowest, though it specifically excluded FBI Director Kash Patel.

The manifesto also indicated that Secret Service agents were to be incapacitated non-lethally “if possible,” while hotel security, Capitol police, and the National Guard were to be avoided as targets “unless they shoot at me.” Hotel employees and guests were explicitly designated as “not targets at all.” Allen reportedly expressed a hope that he would not “have to go through most everyone here to get to the targets.”

Investigators found anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric on Allen’s social media accounts. Allen, an educator with an engineering degree from a prestigious university, allegedly shared posts outlining his intent to target Trump and other administration officials. His sister, Avriana Allen, had previously informed the Secret Service and Montgomery County Police that her brother had a history of making radical statements and discussing a plan to “do something” to address perceived societal issues.

Investigation and Legal Proceedings

The FBI is conducting a criminal investigation, while the Secret Service is investigating Allen’s background to determine the factors that led to the shooting. Allen appeared in court on Monday, April 27, 2026, and did not enter a plea. This incident marks at least the third alleged assassination attempt against President Trump.

Key Takeaways

• President Donald Trump was the target of an attempted assassination at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
• The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, was apprehended by the Secret Service and faces multiple felony charges.
• Allen authored a manifesto outlining his intent to target Trump administration officials.
• An investigation is underway to determine the motives and background of the suspect.