Latest updates on the shooting at last night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C.
• The suspect (above photo via Trump’s social media) was wrestled to the ground within seconds after running through a security checkpoint in the lobby of the Washington Hilton Hotel. He was identified as Cole Thomas Allen, of Torrance, California. Authorities say they believe he acted on his own.
• Officials say Allen will be charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, with more charges possible.
• Investigators believe that the suspect took a train from Los Angeles to Chicago, and then from Chicago to Washington, and checked into the Washington Hilton a day or two before the dinner. Thoughts are he traveled by train to avoid airport security with his weapons.
Shooter traveled from LA to DC by train, checked into hotel COUPLE DAYS before attack — Blanche https://t.co/7ymQMZG45r pic.twitter.com/gCrfZV0NM2
— RT (@RT_com) April 26, 2026
• Allen did not reach the ballroom where Donald Trump and hundreds of members of the media were gathered for the annual event. Trump was never in any immediate danger.
• According to Trump, a Secret Service agent was shot in the melee but was protected by a bulletproof vest.
• Investigators have gathered messages and written material from Allen denouncing the Trump administration and laying out a plan to take violent action.
In Trump’s first post of the day, he says the incident at the WHCD last night is proof that the White House Ballroom needs to be built. pic.twitter.com/WoOR8bdig3
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) April 26, 2026
• Just hours after the incident, Trump wrote on his social media, “This event would never have happened with the Militarily Top Secret Ballroom currently under construction at the White House. It cannot be built fast enough!”
However, that the correspondents’ dinner is hosted by the Correspondents’ Association and not the White House.
Polling over the past few months regarding the proposed ballroom, which has been a top-priority for Trump for months, shows a clear majority of Americans don’t support the massive project.
• Some on social media claimed that the attack was “staged,” suggesting without evidence that it was part of an apparent plot to distract from Trump’s bad polling numbers or the war with Iran.
i think it’s important to note that the correspondents dinner wouldn’t be at a White House ballroom even if it were built. The dinner is not a White House event. It’s a WHCA event. Also, Trump had never attended before (would he host a dinner he didn’t attend).
— Sam Stein (@samstein) April 26, 2026
Here’s the official statement announcing plans for a grand new White House ballroom last July. Not one word about the need for it due to security.
Last night, the @POTUS & his acolytes immediately seized on the WHCA attack at to justify his dream project. https://t.co/OG68BvjHqg— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) April 26, 2026
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