US President Donald Trump lashed out at a reporter for quoting the apparent manifesto of suspected gunman Cole Allen, who tried to enter the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night (local time). Trump also referred to the suspected attacker as "radicalised", "anti-Christian" and a "pretty sick guy".

#BREAKING | Wanted to target Trump's official, says White House shooter
NDTV's @divyawadhwa speaks to Senior Journalist David Cay Johnston (@DavidCayJ), to discuss this and more pic.twitter.com/RMLjTz4AFv

— NDTV (@ndtv) April 27, 2026

A California man accused of storming a gala dinner attended by President Donald Trump was to appear in court Monday over a shooting that marks the latest spasm of political violence in deeply divided America.

Administration officials said the suspect in Saturday night's shocking attack apparently aimed to kill Trump and senior officials at the press dinner in a Washington hotel, in what would be the third attempt on the president's life in two years.

Trump, who was rushed out of the ballroom in Washington by Secret Service agents, posted surveillance footage of the gunman attempting to sprint past a checkpoint one floor above the room where the dinner was held.

After a brief exchange of gunfire with agents, the suspect was detained at the scene. 

Trump shared photos of the suspect handcuffed on the carpeted hotel floor, lying shirtless and face down.

(AFP)

Ten minutes before shots were fired outside the Washington Hilton on Saturday night, Cole Tomas Allen had already put everything in writing.

Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, was taken into custody after the shooting incident near the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, which was being attended by US President Donald Trump and the first lady. He was stopped at a security checkpoint before he could reach the ballroom, where roughly 2,500 guests had gathered.

Saturday night was meant to be a landmark evening. After a decade-long absence, US President Donald Trump was finally returning to the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. Trump himself later admitted he had been preparing to be particularly sharp with the media.

Then the shots were fired.

The president, the first lady, and the vice president were moved to safety by Secret Service officials, along with other members of the cabinet. The shooter, Cole Tomas Allen, 31, had arrived at the Washington Hilton carrying three weapons, namely two handguns and a shotgun. He also had a plan, and he had written it all down.

Trump event shooter mocked hotel security in Manifesto, said 'won't use slugs'
Foreign Affairs Expert Daniel Block (@dblock94) weighs in pic.twitter.com/Jvt6YGmLcn

— NDTV (@ndtv) April 27, 2026

White House Shooting: Cole Tomas Allen faces federal charges
Watch this report to know what happened pic.twitter.com/lWLzZvjCWa

— NDTV (@ndtv) April 27, 2026

Speaking on whether the White House Correspondents' Dinner will be rescheduled, Donald Trump said that it can happen within a short period of time.

"We can't let these criminals, and these really bad people change the course of events in our country," Trump said in an interview with Fox News.

.@POTUS on rescheduling the White House Correspondents' Dinner: "I hope that we can have it within a short period of time... because we can't let these criminals, and these really bad people change the course of events in our country." pic.twitter.com/clHwEW7Gno

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 26, 2026

Iran has released a Lego-style diss track video mocking US President Donald Trump after the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting incident in Washington.

The animated clip, widely shared on social media, uses a satirical song format and targets Trump's leadership and security handling of the event. The clip shows scenes where security is seen taking control of the situation.

Wow. Iranian Lego diss track team is FAST. pic.twitter.com/ILdlraLfFq

— Malcolm Nance (@MalcolmNance) April 26, 2026

Speaking on his assassination attempt at the White House media gala, Donald Trump on Sunday said that such incidents were not going to 'deter' him.

"It comes with the territory, and if you want to do a great job... take a look at what's happened to some of our greatest presidents. It doesn't happen to people that don't do anything…
It's not going to deter me." - President Donald J. Trump
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/yHAjuepIYu

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 26, 2026

About ten minutes before Allen opened fire, he sent what has been described as an anti-Trump manifesto to members of his family. A New York Post report, citing a US official, revealed the document was later handed to police by a relative.

Allen signed the document with the name "Cole 'coldForce' 'Friendly Federal Assassin' Allen."

In the manifesto, Allen outlined his targets as Trump administration officials, ranked by seniority. He excluded FBI Director Kash Patel from the list. Read More

The man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents' Dinner sent writings to family members minutes before the shooting referring to himself as a "Friendly Federal Assassin," railing against Trump administration policies and signaling what investigators increasingly believe was a politically driven attack, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation.

The writings, sent shortly before shots were fired at the Washington Hilton, made repeated references to President Donald Trump without naming him directly and alluded to grievances over a range of administration actions and recent events, including U.S. strikes on drug smuggling boats in the eastern Pacific, the official said.

Investigators are treating the writings, along with a trail of social media posts and interviews with family members, as some of the clearest evidence yet of the suspect's mindset and possible motives. (Associated Press)

US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday informed that the suspected gunman involved in the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting incident fired "a couple shots" before being swiftly subdued by security personnel.

Speaking on CNN's State of the Union, Blanche stated that the suspect was stopped almost immediately after breaching the outer security perimeter.

"From what we know from video surveillance and from witnesses who were there, (he) barely got past the perimeter," CNN quoted Blanche as saying.

"He was immediately subdued, and, yes, he got off a couple shots," he added. (ANI)

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were on stage, speaking with entertainer Oz Pearlman, when an individual sprinted toward the president at around 8:30 pm ET. Guests were seated and eating dinner inside the packed ballroom, reported CNN.

At the same time, just outside the venue, a man carrying a shotgun tried to rush through a security checkpoint. He fired shots, and Secret Service agents immediately responded and chased him. A brief exchange of fire took place outside the building.

The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the shooting which targeted US President Donald Trump, and strongly denounced this deplorable crime.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirmed the UAE's solidarity with US President Donald Trump and his family, as well as with the government and the people of the United States.

The Ministry reiterated the UAE's strong condemnation of such criminal acts and its unwavering rejection of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability. (ANI)

UAE Strongly Condemns Shooting Targeting US President Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/1Gir2wnqE3

— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) April 26, 2026

Investigators on Sunday said the gunman who tried to storm a gala dinner attended by US President Donald Trump planned to target top government officials, as scrutiny grew over the event's security.

Trump, who was rushed out of the hotel ballroom in Washington by Secret Service agents, posted surveillance camera footage of the gunman attempting to sprint past a security checkpoint as guards drew their weapons.

After an exchange of gunfire, the suspect was detained at the scene and was being questioned Sunday before he is due to appear in court on Monday.

"He's not actively cooperating. I expect that he will be formally charged tomorrow morning in federal court in Washington," acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche told CBS's "Face The Nation."

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said that the assasination attempt at the White House press dinner would have never happened if there was a "large, safe, and secure Ballroom be built ON THE GROUNDS OF THE WHITE HOUSE".

He claimed that the US military, secret service, law enforcement and "every President for the last 150 years" have been demanding a White House Ballroom, which is being built by the Trump administration at present. 

The US President lashed out at the lawsuit filed against the construction of the lawsuit, demanding that it must be dropped.

"The ridiculous Ballroom lawsuit, brought by a woman walking her dog, who has absolutely No Standing to bring such a suit, must be dropped, immediately. Nothing should be allowed to interfere with with its construction, which is on budget and substantially ahead of schedule!!!"

The accused gunman who tried to storm the ballroom at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner with guns and knives traveled across the country before the event and is believed to have been targeting members of the Trump administration, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday.

Blanche also said officials believe the suspect traveled by train from California to Chicago and then on to Washington, where he checked in as a guest to the hotel where one of Washington's glitziest events was being held Saturday night. 

"It does appear that he did in fact set out to target folks who work in the administration, likely including the president," Blanche told NBC's "Meet the Press."

(Associated Press)

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's comments that "there will be some shots fired tonight" has gone viral because of the timing of what she said. She was speaking to a Fox News journalist, before a shooter attacked the venue of the White House press dinner. The attacker, who US President Donald Trump said was likely a "lone wolf", also shot at a security officer. Read more

The hotel was closed to the public beginning at 2 pm Saturday in anticipation of the dinner which began at 8 pm. Outside, dozens of protesters gathered in the rain - mostly directing their criticism at the media attending the event.

Access to the hotel was restricted to hotel guests, people with tickets to the dinner itself, an invitation to one of the receptions that are held at the hotel before or after the dinner, or documents from the White House Correspondents' Association indicating affiliation with the dinner.

The 2,300 guests at the event in the hotel's cavernous subterranean ballroom had to pass through several additional checks to enter the room, including showing tickets to association volunteers and hotel staff and passing through magnetometers manned by the Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration.

It was not immediately released when the suspect checked into the hotel. Security camera footage released by Trump to social media shortly after the incident shows the gunman running past security officers who appear to be disassembling the metal detectors. Once the president was seated in the ballroom, additional attendees were not permitted to enter the secured area, which is why they were taking them down.

"It shows that our multi-layered protection works," Secret Service director Sean Curran said. His comments were echoed by Carroll, who said the security plan for the evening was developed by the Secret Service and "that security plan did work this evening."

Inside the ballroom for the dinner itself there were further security measures. (Associated Press)

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi condemned the incident on social media platform, describing it as "terrifying" and stressing that "violence can never be tolerated anywhere in the world.

"I am relieved to learn that President Trump is safe after the terrifying gunshots. Violence can never be tolerated anywhere in the world," Takaichi stated in her post.

I am relieved to learn that President Trump is safe after the terrifying gunshots.
Violence can never be tolerated anywhere in the world.
トランプ大統領が、恐ろしい銃撃の後、ご無事だとの報に接し、安心しました。
暴力は、世界のいかなる場所でも、決して容認できません。@POTUS…

— 高市早苗 (@takaichi_sanae) April 26, 2026

Unlike past US Presidents over 100 years, Donald Trump had never once attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner (WHCD). This year, he was set to take his hot-and-cold ties with the press to another level, admitting later he didn't know if he could "ever be as rough" as he was going to be on Saturday night.

And even as the sounds of clinking cutlery and chatter filled the event's venue in the Washington's Hilton Hotel and a mentalist guessed US press secretary Karoline Leavitt soon-to-arrive baby's name, Trump's plan to "really rip it" with the media was cut short by the sound of gun shots. Read more

France's President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that the incident of a shooter charging the White House media dinner attended by US President Donald Trump was "unacceptable".

"The armed attack targeting the president of the United States last night is unacceptable. Violence has no place in a democracy," he said on X. "I extend my full support to Donald Trump."

The armed attack targeting the President of the United States last night is unacceptable. Violence has no place in a democracy. I extend my full support to Donald Trump.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 26, 2026

"It's not particularly a secure building," Trump said of the hotel about a 10-minute drive from the White House. It was also the site of a 1981 assassination attempt against then-President Ronald Reagan.  (Reuters)

UK PM Keir Starmer has said that he is "shocked by the scenes" at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington.

"Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms," he wrote on X, adding that it is a "huge relief" that Trump and others were safe.

I am shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington overnight.
Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
It is a huge relief that @POTUS, the First Lady and all those…

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 26, 2026

Donald Trump has said that the shooting would not "deter" him from "winning" the war in Iran. 

Speaking to reporters, Trump said that he believed the incident was not linked to the nearly two-month-old conflict.

"I don't think so, but you never know," he told a reporter when asked if the shooting was linked to the Iran war.

"It's not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran. I don't know if that had anything to do with it; I really don't think so, based on what we know, but we are going to continue to do a great job," he said.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he is "shocked" by the assassination attempt of Donald Trump.

"We are relieved that the President and the First Lady are safe and strong. We send our wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the wounded police officer and salute the US Secret Service for their swift and decisive action," he wrote on X.

Sara and I were shocked by the attempted assassination of President @realDonaldTrump last night in Washington, DC. We are relieved that the President and the First Lady are safe and strong. We send our wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the wounded police officer and salute…

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) April 26, 2026

Unverified social media profiles, including LinkedIn, describe Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, as a mechanical engineer, computer scientist, indie game developer, and part-time teacher based in the Los Angeles area.

Pearlman said his goal was to "bring us together" and give the room 25 minutes of laughter and jaw-dropping moments instead of political jabs.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's comments that "there will be some shots fired tonight" have gone viral because of the timing of what she said. She was speaking to a Fox News journalist, before a shooter attacked the venue of the White House press dinner. 

"He is ready to rumble, I will tell you. This speech tonight will be classic Donald J Trump. It'll be funny, it'll be entertaining. There will be some shots fired tonight in the room. So everyone should tune in, it's going to be really great," she said ahead of the event, referring to a speech that would be characteristic of Trump's loud and fiery public addresses.

🚨 JUST NOW: Karoline Leavitt calls on everyone to watch tonight because Donald Trump will bring the heat and there will be “shots fired”
LET’S FREAKING GO 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GMkccJ7qvw

— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) April 25, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the shooting incident at US President Donald Trump's event and said "violence has no place in a democracy".

"Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel. I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned," he posted on X.

Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel. I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2026

The White House Correspondents' Dinner gunman was a "guest" at the Washington Hilton, DC police chief Jeffrey Carroll has said.

"We do believe he was a guest here at the hotel," he told reporters at a news conference following the shooting

"We have secure room here in the hotel, and again, we'll go through the appropriate procedures to determine what was inside there," he said.

The suspect is being charged with two counts of "using a firearm during a crime of violence" and for "assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon", the US Attorney for the District of Columbia has said.

Trump has shared a video of the suspect behind a shooting incident at a media gala in Washington.

The 24-second clip, posted on Truth Social, shows the suspect charging towards the venue of the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

The video further shows Secret Service agents taking positions and pointing their guns at the suspect.

JUST IN: President Trump posts video of SHOOTER on TruthSocial. pic.twitter.com/mVFkDaldpv

— Donald J Trump Posts TruthSocial (@TruthTrumpPost) April 26, 2026

Trump has shared images of the suspected shooter on Truth Social, which show him pinned to the ground without a shirt and with his hands tied behind his back.

Trump has said that the suspected shooter was a "sick person" and looked "pretty evil".

Trump has said the "people who do the most" are attacked the most.

Trump has said the White House press dinner venue -- the Washington Hill -- "not a particularly secure building".

"We looked at all of the conditions that took place tonight, and I will say, you know, it's not a particularly secure building," he told reporters.

Trump has said that the shooting suspect was a "would-be assassin".

Trump has said that the press dinner shooter was "probably alone".

"Shooter came close in Pennsylvania," Trump recalled an assassination bid on him in 2024.

Trump has said that the shooting suspect was armed with multiple weapons before being stopped by Secret Service.

Donald Trump has confirmed that an officer was shot at but will be fine as he was wearing a bullet-proof vest.

"He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job," Trump said.

President Trump Delivers Remarks, Apr. 25, 2026 https://t.co/Lok5NBuFhD

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 26, 2026

The suspected shooter at the White House Correspondent's Dinner has reportedly been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, a resident of Torrance, California.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he and his wife, Kelly, were at the event and grateful for the law enforcement and first responders "who acted so quickly to bring the situation under control."

"Praying for our country tonight," he said on social media.

The first image of the suspected shooter from the White House Correspondents' Dinner has emerged, showing him pinned down by law enforcement near stairs at the Washington Hilton.

NDTV could not independently verify the image.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said that "it's great" that Donald Trump and Melania Trump are "doing well" after the shooting at his event.

"We send our respect. Violence should never be the way," she wrote on X.

(Photo Credit: AFP)

An officer shot in bullet-resistant vest at correspondents' dinner but is expected to be okay, a law enforcement official has said.

Donald Trump and others seated at the main table ducked for cover as his security detail covered him from all directions after gunshots were heard.

Videos that have surfaced online show the Secret Service agents quickly whisking the US president away to safety.