The alleged gunman, Cole Tomas Allen, was arrested on Saturday after bursting into the Washington Hilton with a shotgun and knives, according to law enforcement. He was taken down by authorities. In a manifesto seen by The Washington Post, Allen identified himself as the 'Friendly Federal Assassin' and stated he believed it was his righteous duty to target Trump administration officials. The manifesto exempts FBI chief Kash Patel from targeting, according to the 31-year-old suspect. Allen wrote that he planned to use buckshot to minimize casualties and highlighted perceived security weaknesses at the Washington Hilton.
The manifesto states that people in the Trump administration, from the highest to the lowest, are priority targets, according to the suspect. In the document, Allen called Trump a 'pedophile, rapist, and traitor,' according to the manifesto. In a CBS '60 Minutes' interview on Sunday, Donald Trump reacted to the manifesto. Trump said he is not a rapist and has never raped anyone, and he also said he is not a pedophile. He criticized the journalist for reading a text written by 'a sick person' and said the journalist should be ashamed for reading the manifesto. Trump stated he is none of those things and said he was 'totally exonerated.' He accused Democrats of hate speech and said it is dangerous. Trump also accused his critics of being involved with Jeffrey Epstein, though Epstein was not mentioned in the manifesto or by the host, according to major media reports. Trump called the shooter 'pretty incompetent' and praised law enforcement's response.
The manifesto says the author does not want to 'allow a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to dirty my hands with their crimes'.
Allen's background has come under scrutiny. According to his sister via NBC News, Allen previously attended a 'No Kings' protest in California. Campaign finance records show he donated $25 to ActBlue for Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump's approval ratings have been mixed. According to Ballotpedia, Trump's approval rating is 41.0%. The Economist/YouGov reports a 35% approval rating. YouGov found that a record 48% of people say they 'strongly disapprove' of Trump's performance. However, 95% of Republicans still support Trump, according to YouGov. The number of people who 'strongly approve' of Trump has dropped from 69% when he took office to about 58% today, according to YouGov.
Trump said he is not a rapist and has never raped anyone.
In business news, Trump owns about 41% of Trump Media & Technology Group (approximately 114 million shares) via a revocable trust, according to SEC filings. The company has shifted focus to fintech and crypto and has invested in Bitcoin, according to research from five sources.
Trump has also made a political endorsement. He endorsed Steve Hilton for governor of California, according to Steve Hilton. Hilton said he will fight to save California, focusing on common sense and fighting corruption. He promised $3 gas, cut electric bills in half, first $100k tax free, and affordable homes. Hilton quoted political observer Rob Pires saying Trump's endorsement frees up millions for Democratic groups to avoid a lockout.
Trump said he is not a pedophile.
Several unknowns remain. The motive behind Allen's attack has not been confirmed. How he obtained the shotgun and knives and bypassed security at the Washington Hilton is under investigation. The current condition of any victims or injuries from the shooting has not been disclosed. Specific charges Allen will face have not been announced. It is unclear whether the full text of the manifesto will be released to the public.
Trump criticized the journalist for reading a text written by 'a sick person'.
Trump said the journalist should be ashamed for reading the manifesto.
Trump stated he is none of those things (pedophile, rapist, traitor).
Trump said he was 'totally exonerated'.
Trump accused Democrats of hate speech and said it is dangerous.
Trump called the shooter 'pretty incompetent' and praised law enforcement's response.