Trump was shaken after a lone gunman stormed the hotel hosting the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, where the U.S. President, First Lady Melania Trump, and senior officials were present. The attacker fired shots to clear the way, injuring one security officer, but was ultimately stopped before reaching the event hall. This marks the third assassination attempt on Trump in two years. Trump boasted that those who achieve results inevitably face opposition and denied any connection to Iran tensions. Meanwhile, the FBI is rushing to uncover the motive. The suspect, identified as a tutor who had received awards for excellence, was heavily armed with firearms and knives. Negotiations with Iran have stalled, and Trump ordered the cancellation of the second round of talks.
This brazen incident marks another chapter in the history of the United States, as President Donald Trump faced his third assassination attempt in two years. The most recent event occurred during the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents' Association in Washington, D.C., on the evening of 25 April local time.
According to foreign news agencies, the chaos erupted around 8:36 p.m. on 25 April local U.S. time, or early morning of 26 April in Thailand, during the gala dinner of the White House Correspondents' Association at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C. The incident happened about five minutes after the event began. A male suspect ran through a security checkpoint toward the ballroom, the venue filled with key U.S. government figures including President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance. However, security officers intercepted and apprehended him just outside the ballroom's rear door.
Security sources later revealed that the assailant began by firing a handgun at close range at an officer, who sustained minor injuries due to wearing body armor. The suspect then rushed through the security checkpoint before officers returned fire. There are no clear reports on the extent of the assailant's injuries. Upon searching the suspect, authorities found not only a handgun but also a short shotgun and several knives. The attacker was identified as 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen, a guest who had booked a hotel room. He is originally from Torrance, California. Initial investigations have not confirmed whether his intent was to assassinate the U.S. President.
During the swiftly resolved incident, foreign media reported that the dinner was attended by numerous journalists and news anchors from various outlets. Many sought shelter under tables, while some were initially unaware of the disturbance, hearing only loud bangs before realizing the gravity when Secret Service agents rushed in shouting 'gunfire.' Armed officers pushed through the crowd to secure the President, promptly escorting Donald and Melania Trump out of the venue. Some officers swept the room with rifles to check for further threats as hundreds of attendees took cover under tables. Some reporters left the ballroom to observe the situation outside, confirming the smell of gunpowder from the shooting. Reports indicated that President Trump left the hotel at 9:45 p.m.
Shortly after the incident, Wei-Jie Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents' Association, announced that the dinner would continue as planned but later clarified it would be rescheduled within 30 days. This change followed many reporters leaving the event to head toward the White House, located three kilometers away, upon learning that President Trump would hold a press briefing there immediately. Foreign news outlets reported that many journalists had to leave their vehicles at the hotel and run to the White House to catch the President's statement, as traffic congestion was severe and security was tightly controlled.
President Trump later held a press conference wearing the tuxedo he had worn to the dinner, alongside many reporters still dressed in formal attire. He described the incident as unexpected but expressed gratitude to the Secret Service and other officials for their swift response. The dinner was dedicated to freedom of expression, bringing together political parties and journalists in a beautiful display of unity. However, chaos erupted due to an armed assailant intent on destroying the Constitution. One officer was shot but fortunately protected by quality body armor during a close-range attack. The officer is reported to be safe, healthy, and in good spirits. Trump called the attacker quick but mentally unstable and said he wished to remain alive to make the country greater.
Trump also stated that the incident underscored the need for the government to build a new banquet hall to replace the old East Wing of the White House, as the Washington Hilton lacks sufficient security. He urged the media to report responsibly on the matter. Trump also expressed a desire to hold the press conference in the event hall itself but was prevented by officials, who insisted it be held at the White House instead.
During the Q&A session, Trump allowed Wei-Jie Jiang to ask the first question. He said at first he thought the noise was someone dropping a tray from afar. When asked whether he believed he was the assassination target, Trump replied that he likely was. He noted that when you achieve results at work, some people want to undermine you and may be displeased. He commented that the attacker was far away — roughly the equivalent of charging from half the length of an American football field.
When asked if he was concerned about political violence, Trump admitted concern about all forms of violence, not just political. He said being a politician is inherently dangerous, and as commander-in-chief, one must accept the risks. Statistically, he said, the presidency is more dangerous than being a race car driver or bullfighter. He believes he was the target of the shooter tonight, having survived two previous assassination attempts in the past two to three years.
The President confirmed that another White House Correspondents' Association dinner will be held within 30 days, larger and better than before. Regarding the gunman, he believes the attack was carried out solo. Police are searching the suspect's hotel room in California. Trump later released images of the suspect's arrest and CCTV footage showing the man running through a security checkpoint before officers drew weapons and fired. The assailant was unable to penetrate the security line to enter the ballroom.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanchett stated following Trump that charges against the suspect will be filed soon. Protective officers and FBI agents are collecting evidence at the scene. The motive for the attack remains unknown.
Washington D.C. Police Chief Jeff Carroll confirmed the suspect was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. There is no indication of accomplices; the attack appears to have been carried out alone. The suspect faces two initial charges: using a firearm to commit a violent crime, and using a deadly weapon to assault government officers. Additional charges are expected.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Cole Thomas Allen, the suspect, holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from top-tier Caltech (2017) and a master's degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills (2025). Allen worked as a tutor and was recognized as an outstanding teacher at the tutoring center C2 Education. Regarding politics, foreign media reported he had donated $25 to the campaign fundraising of Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate.
On the same day, NBC News cited a former volleyball teammate of Cole Thomas Allen, who wished to remain anonymous. The teammate described Allen as gentle, very intelligent—smart enough to understand material without attending classes, knowledgeable in many areas, inquisitive, and generally well-rounded and capable.
Trump also updated on the stalled second round of peace talks with Iran, explaining the U.S. government decided not to send a delegation to Islamabad, Pakistan, deeming the travel a waste of time amid busy schedules. He said Iran remains divided internally, with no clear leadership. The U.S. holds all the cards, while Iran has nothing. If Iran wants to talk, all they need to do is call.
When asked if the U.S. government plans to resume warfare, Trump said canceling the delegation doesn't mean returning to war, as that is not currently under consideration. Regarding whether the shooting incident was related to the Iran war, he said he doubts it but admitted no one truly knows.
Foreign media noted it is well known among journalists that President Donald Trump disliked the White House Correspondents' Association dinner and never attended during his presidency, as he was often harshly criticized at such events early in his political career under President Barack Obama. However, this year, Trump accepted the invitation, bringing along First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Secretary of Health Robert Kennedy Jr.
The Washington Hilton hotel is also the site where former Republican President Ronald Reagan was seriously wounded in an assassination attempt in 1981. Local U.S. media released footage of White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt jokingly noting before the event that the evening would be filled with “Shots fired,” a phrase meaning sharp satirical remarks, but literally referring to gunfire.
If this incident is counted as an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump, it marks the third in two years. The first occurred at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024, when a sniper grazed Trump's ear, causing bleeding; the assailant was killed on the spot. The second was in September 2024, when a gunman waited to ambush Trump at the Mar-a-Lago golf club in Palm Beach, Florida, but security stopped him before he could act.
Throughout the day, international media reported on reactions from world leaders to the brazen attack. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a statement condemning violence, declaring it has no place in democracy. Similarly, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed relief that President Trump was unharmed.
Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, speaking after opening the Songkran festival in Phra Pradaeng, Samut Prakan Province, acknowledged awareness of the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' dinner attended by President Donald Trump, saying, "I have seen it and we must be cautious."
/ Thairath Newspaper Column All content here