Donald Trump said he “wasn’t worried” after a gunman opened fire during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., forcing his evacuation alongside senior government officials.
Speaking to CBS News’ 60 Minutes on Sunday, April 26, one day after the incident, Trump said: “I wasn’t worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world.” He added that he initially hesitated to leave the room, stating, “I wanted to see what was happening… we started to realize, maybe it was a bad problem.”
The shooting occurred at about 20:35 local time (00:35 GMT) on Saturday, April 25, at the Washington Hilton, where the annual dinner was being held. Gunshots were reported in the foyer near a security checkpoint, while the main event was taking place in a ballroom below.
Secret Service agents quickly moved Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other senior officials to safety. The room was briefly locked down before attendees were escorted out.
Law enforcement officers engaged the suspect, and one officer was shot but survived after being protected by a bullet-resistant vest. Authorities said the suspect was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for evaluation.
US media have identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California. Officials said he was carrying two firearms and knives at the time of the attack. He is expected to appear in federal court on Monday, April 27, and faces charges including assault on a federal officer and using a firearm during a violent crime.
According to US Attorney General Todd Blanche, early findings suggest the suspect was “likely” targeting senior members of the Trump administration. A document believed to be linked to the suspect indicates an intention to attack officials “from highest-ranking to lowest,” although investigators say the motive has not been fully established.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and its terrorism task force are leading the investigation. Authorities are examining the suspect’s travel history, including reports that he traveled by train from Los Angeles to Washington via Chicago, as well as his online activity and writings.
Trump also commented on the suspect’s background in an interview with Fox News, saying the individual “had a lot of hatred in his heart for a while” and describing him as “a sick guy.” Referring to a document attributed to the suspect, he added: “When you read his manifesto, he hates Christians.”
In remarks to reporters shortly after the incident, Trump praised security personnel, saying those present owed the Secret Service a “tremendous debt of gratitude.” He also called for calm, stating that people should “resolve our differences peacefully.”
Following the shooting, Trump renewed his call for the construction of a new ballroom within the White House complex. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “This event would never have happened with the… secure Ballroom… on the grounds of the White House,” referring to a proposed project estimated to cost about $400 million.
The White House Correspondents’ Association president, Weijia Jiang, described the incident as “harrowing” and thanked security officials for protecting attendees.
The incident is the latest in a series of security threats involving Trump. In July 2024, a bullet grazed his ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and in September 2024, a suspected gunman was discovered near his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Investigations into Saturday’s shooting are ongoing, with officials saying conclusions about motive and any wider connections will depend on further evidence.
