Trump: "Thought It Was the Sound of a Tray Dropping... Shooting Likely Unrelated to Iran, Suspect Acted Alone"

Press Conference Held at White House After Incident

"Suspect Appears to Have Acted Alone...Person with Serious Mental Issues"

"Today's Incident Is a Reminder to Resolve Differences Peacefully"

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he believes the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner was the act of a lone suspect who has been apprehended. He also said that he does not believe the crime is related to Iran, which is currently at war with the United States.

Suspect rushing through the security checkpoint. U.S. President Donald Trump's Truth Social.

On April 25 (local time), President Trump held a press conference at the White House and explained the situation, saying, "A man carrying several weapons rushed toward the security checkpoint and was subdued by very brave Secret Service (SS) agents."

He added, "One agent was shot, but survived thanks to wearing a very good bulletproof vest."

President Trump was attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner held at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. that evening. When gunshots were heard at the event, he was quickly evacuated. All key attendees, including President Trump and his wife, as well as Vice President JD Vance, were unharmed. No dinner attendees suffered gunshot injuries from the incident, and the suspect was arrested at the scene.

White House Dinner Shooting Suspect. President Trump Truth Social.

President Trump recalled the moment he first heard the gunshots, saying, "I thought it was the sound of a tray dropping." He added, "It was quite loud and sounded like it came from a considerable distance." He also explained that the suspect rushed from a distance of 50 yards (about 45 meters), but agents responded swiftly at that moment.

Referring to the suspect, Cole Thomas Allen, age 31, from California, President Trump said, "The authorities seem to think he acted as a lone wolf. I believe that as well." He revealed that investigators had searched the suspect's apartment and described him as "a person with very serious mental health issues."

When asked whether the motive for the crime was related to Iran, President Trump replied, "I don't think so," but added, "However, we can't be certain. We will learn a lot through the investigation."

AP Yonhap News

President Trump pointed out that this was not the first shooting incident, and stated, "I ask that tonight's incident serve as an opportunity for all Americans to recommit to resolving our differences peacefully with all our hearts." By mentioning the two previous assassination attempts against him along with this incident, he stressed the importance of resolving political conflict peacefully.

President Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, was shot during an outdoor campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, suffering a wound when a bullet grazed the upper part of his right ear. Two months later, on September 15, he experienced a second assassination attempt while playing golf at a course in Florida.

At the press conference, President Trump stated that assassination attempts are directed at "the most influential figures," adding, "I have accomplished a lot. This nation, which was a laughingstock for years, has become the hottest country in the world."

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who was present at the press briefing, said that the suspect would soon face multiple charges, including illegal possession of firearms. FBI Director Kathy Patel explained that an investigation is underway into the suspect's background and whether he had any accomplices.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.