Attempt to Rush Security Checkpoint with Weapons... Trump Says "At First, I Thought It Was a Tray Dropping"
by Lee Myeonghwan
Published 26 Apr.2026 13:51(KST)
Updated 26 Apr.2026 16:25(KST)
Press Conference at the White House After the Incident
"Shooting Believed Unrelated to Iran"
"Suspect Appears to Have Acted Alone... Person with Serious Mental Health Issues"
"Tonight's Incident Should Be an Opportunity to Resolve Differences Peacefully"
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner was believed to be the act of a lone suspect who has been apprehended. He also said that the crime is considered unrelated 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.
원본보기 아이콘At a press conference held at the White House on the 25th (local time), President Trump explained the situation, saying, "A man rushed toward the security checkpoint carrying multiple weapons 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."
On that evening, President Trump attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner held at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. When gunshots were heard at the event, he was quickly evacuated. All key attendees, including President Trump and the First Lady, as well as Vice President JD Vance, were unharmed. No dinner attendees were shot in the incident, and the suspect was apprehended at the scene.
President Trump recalled the moment he first heard the gunshots, saying, "I thought it was the sound of a tray being dropped. It was quite loud and sounded like it came from a considerable distance." He added that the suspect rushed from about 50 yards (approximately 45 meters) away, but the agents responded swiftly at that moment.
President Trump referred to the suspect, Cole Thomas Allen, a 31-year-old from California, stating, "They (the investigators) believe he acted as a lone wolf. I think so as well." He noted that investigators had searched the suspect's apartment and stated, "He is a person with very serious mental health issues."
When asked whether the motive for the crime was believed to be related to Iran, he replied, "I don't think so," but added, "However, we can't be sure. We will learn a lot through the investigation."
President Trump explained that this was not the first time such a shooting incident had occurred and urged, "I ask that, in light of tonight's incident, all Americans renew their commitment to resolving differences peacefully with all their hearts." By referencing the two previous assassination attempts against himself along with the incident that day, he emphasized the need to resolve political conflicts peacefully.
President Trump, who was 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 remarked that assassination attempts target "the most influential figures," and said, "I have accomplished a lot. This country, which was a laughingstock for years, has become the hottest country in the world."
Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General, who attended the briefing, stated that the suspect would soon be indicted on several charges, including possession of firearms. Kathy Patel, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), explained that an investigation is underway to determine the suspect's background and whether there are any accomplices.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.