Overview
- Cole Tomas Allen was charged with trying to kill President Trump after he ran past security at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with a shotgun and a .38, opened fire, and was tackled by federal agents as guests ducked under tables and leaders were rushed out.
- Ballistics tests are underway after a round struck an agent’s bulletproof vest, and investigators are reviewing Allen’s writings and social media for clues to his intent.
- A Longwell Partners focus group, reported by the Bulwark, found six of nine repeat Trump voters now say the attack was a “psyop,” reflecting deep skepticism of the official account inside Trump’s base.
- Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blamed “deranged lies” from Democrats for creating hostility toward the president, even as Trump initially called for unity.
- Survey data cited by economist Robert J. Shapiro show sizable minorities across parties—especially MAGA followers—see force as justified in politics, raising concern that incidents like this can normalize future violence.