Everyone who attended the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, 2026, was left shaking after shots were fired inside the event. Donald Trump, Melania Trump, J.D. Vance Others were immediately evacuated from the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC. Shortly thereafter, Trump held a press conference and indicated that the suspected shooter had been arrested and would face legal consequences.
“What happened last night is exactly why our great military, secret service, law enforcement, and for various reasons have asked every president over the last 150 years to build a large, safe and secure ballroom on the grounds of the White House,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This event would never have happened with the top-secret military auditorium currently under construction at the White House. It can’t be built fast enough! Although it is beautiful, it has all the security features of the highest level, plus, there are no rooms sitting at the top for unsafe people to pour into, and it is within the doors of the most secure building in the world, the White House.”
Below, get all the updates on the identity, background, and motives of the alleged shooter for the attempted assassination of the Republican president.
Who tried to assassinate Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in 2026?
The suspected gunman has been identified as 31 years old Cole Thomas Allen.
Where is Cole Thomas Allen from?
Multiple media outlets reported that Allen is from Torrance, California, a city in Los Angeles County.
Is Cole Thomas Allen a Democrat or a Republican?
According to Los Angeles TimesAllen has no registered party preference, so he is neither a Democrat nor a Republican. However, in October 2024, Allen donated $25 to ActBlue, a political action committee that raises money for Democrats, according to the Federal Election Commission. The donation was reportedly earmarked for Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign.
Where did Cole Thomas Allen go to school?
Allen reportedly graduated from Caltech in 2017 and studied mechanical engineering. While attending school, he was a member of Christian Fellowship, according to his LinkedIn profile.
A computer science professor named Ben Tang of California State University-Dominguez Hills told the Associated Press that Allen took some of his classes and that he was always a well-behaved student.
“[Allen] “He was a really good student, and he would always sit in the front row of my class, paying attention, and would often email me with coursework questions,” Tang told the outlet. “Well spoken, very courteous, and a good fellow. I was very shocked when I saw the news.”
What does Cole Thomas Allen do at work?
Allen is a teacher in Southern California. He even won a “Teacher of the Month” certificate.
