Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at the 2026 White House Correspondents' Dinner, according to multiple sources. President Donald Trump was uninjured and evacuated from the scene, sources said. CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer reported that the shooter fired at least six times.
The attack marks the third time Trump has been very close to an assassination attempt, said Jan Hallenberg, an expert on political violence, during a press conference. Hallenberg noted that Trump is one of the most threatened politicians in the world and that all American politicians at that level face a significant threat, but Trump is the most controversial president since possibly Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The incident occurred at the Washington Hilton, where the annual dinner was being held. Witnesses described chaos as attendees ducked under tables and Secret Service agents rushed the stage. The dinner was immediately canceled, and guests were escorted out of the venue.
The White House Correspondents' Association issued a statement expressing gratitude for the swift response of law enforcement and confirming that all attendees were safe. The FBI has opened an investigation into the shooting, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting in tracing the weapon used. The attack has raised concerns about security at high-profile political events, with some lawmakers calling for a review of protocols.
The Secret Service has not yet commented on the incident, but sources say the agency is cooperating fully with the investigation. The motive for the attack remains unknown, as does how the suspect obtained the firearm. Authorities are examining the suspect's digital footprint and interviewing acquaintances to determine any ideological or personal grievances.
The shooting has also sparked debate about political rhetoric and its potential influence on violence. Hallenberg commented that Trump's vocabulary contributes to worsening the mood in the US and that after the Butler incident, Trump was soft for the first week but then returned to his usual rhetoric. He also noted that statements emerged on Sunday that the suspected shooter hates Christians, which suits Trump's voter base.
Trump gave an unusually subdued speech after the weekend event, calling for unity, but Hallenberg predicted that criticism will soon come from all sides. Hallenberg added that he fears this could happen again but stated that he does not believe there is a conspiracy to kill the president. The assassination attempt may have implications for Trump's political future and security protocols.
As of April 2026, Trump's approval ratings are in the low 40s according to some polls, including Ballotpedia, RealClearPolitics, The Economist/YouGov, CNN/SSRS, and Rasmussen Reports. For comparison, his approval rating in April 2018 was around 41%, according to six research sources. Trump also owns approximately 41% of Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT), according to his filings to the Federal Election Commission and Office of Government Ethics.
Politically, Trump has endorsed Steve Hilton for Governor of California, according to the president. The suspect has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, according to two law enforcement officials speaking on condition of anonymity. However, there is a discrepancy in reporting: the Wikipedia article on the incident does not name the suspect, while other sources do, possibly due to editorial policy or timing.
Allen faces two firearm-related charges, including assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon, law enforcement officials said. Police believe the suspect acted alone, a lone wolf, as President Trump later described him in a press conference. One law enforcement officer was shot in a bullet-resistant vest and is expected to recover, officials said.
The officer's current condition has not been disclosed. The security response at the event has come under scrutiny, with questions about what specific measures were in place and whether changes will be made for future events. In the aftermath, social media posts appeared expressing disappointment that the suspect did not kill Trump, according to major media reports.