Trump shooting updates: ‘He hates Christians’: Trump says DC shooting suspect left 'manifesto' targeting officials

This blog's updates have ended.

Trump shooting live updates: US President Donald Trump has described the tense moments during the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting, recalling that First Lady Melania Trump quickly grasped the seriousness of the situation as gunfire erupted at the venue on Saturday evening.

Speaking in an interview with CBS News, Trump said, "I wasn't worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world... Right around that point... I saw the scene... and she looked very upset about what just took place."

He added, "By that time I think she realised ahead of time that that was more of a bullet than it was a tray," referring to the moment the First Lady grasped that the sounds heard were gunshots and not routine noise from the ballroom.

Trump shooting live updates: Donald Trump's tuxedo still looked freshly pressed when he stepped to the White House podium Saturday night, barely an hour after the latest apparent attempt on his life.

"When you're impactful, they go after you," the U.S. president told some of the highest-powered journalists in Washington.

Many of them were still dressed in their own formal wear from a celebrated annual event, the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, which ended abruptly after a man sprinted past security outside the ballroom, armed with multiple weapons.

"When you're not impactful," Trump added, "they leave you alone." Trump's remarks in the aftermath of an incident that caused many of the 2,600 people in attendance to dive to the floor as the Secret Service hustled away the president and other dignitaries underscored his instinct to spin narratives with himself as the undaunted hero -- a juggernaut, a survivor -- while rarely missing a chance to plug his priorities.

via Reuters

Trump shooting live updates: U.S. law enforcement officials are reassessing security arrangements after a gunman opened fire near the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, raising questions about how he was able to get so close to an event attended by President Donald Trump, cabinet members and lawmakers.

Two former Secret Service agents and three senior U.S. officials told Reuters on Sunday that federal agents appeared to carry out their plan to protect the president effectively on Saturday night, stopping the alleged gunman before he reached the basement level of the Washington Hilton, where Trump was set to speak.

But the fact that some attendees could hear the shots fired at a Secret Service agent underscored vulnerabilities, the officials said, even after a pair of assassination attempts against Trump during the 2024 campaign had already prompted stronger measures around the president's security.

via Reuters

Trump shooting live updates: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the suspect accused of trying to attack administration officials at Saturday night's White House Correspondents' Association dinner had an anti-Christian manifesto and "a lot of hatred in his heart" but was stopped well short of the hotel ballroom hosting the event.

Trump told Fox News that the suspect was "a sick guy" and that his family previously expressed concerns about him to law enforcement officials. The suspect, whom an official identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, California, was arrested at the scene of the event in Washington, D.C.

Trump shooting live updates: Public records cited by The Daily Mail revealed that Cole Tomas Allen is one of four siblings, including two sisters, Stephanie and Arviana, and a brother, Gabriel. Social media users specifically targeted Arviana F Allen with serious accusations. Commentator and influencer, Sunshine Sunnybunz, raised questions, noting that Arviana, ‘who lives and works in DC She’s a Northwestern Medill grad with degrees in Journalism and Statistics. She’s done work for the Texas Tribune, Pew Research, and CalMatters, building voter guides and data projects for progressive-leaning outlets’. “In this toxic climate, a brother pulling the trigger while his sister is deep in left-leaning D.C. media circles is raising real questions about how political rage spreads in families. Investigators will dig deeper, but these stories are never simple.” Read full report here

Trump shooting live updates: In the manifesto that he sent to family members minutes before the attack, the 31-year-old described himself as “Friendly Federal Assassin” and railed against recent actions taken by the US government under Trump, though he did not name the Republican president directly, the reported added, citing a law enforcement official.

Allen reportedly had no criminal track record and the manifesto, released by the New York Post, stated that he would only target officials from the US President Donald Trump-led administration

But did he regret his action? Towards the end of the alleged manifesto, Allen wrote: “Oh and if anyone is curious is how doing something like feels: it’s awful. I want to throw up; I want to cry for all the things I wanted to do and never will, for all the people whose trust this betrays; I experience rage thinking about everything this administration has done.”

He concluded the manifesto asking students to not be inspired by his actions. “Can’t really recommend it! Stay in school, kids.” he wrote.

Read here

Trump shooting live updates: Chaos ensued at the Washington Hilton hotel ballroom on Saturday night when a gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents' dinner being attended by US President Donald Trump and prominent members of his administration. The security teams jumped into action and evacuated Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Many attendees also panicked and rushed towards exits. But, in all the chaos, a man, identified by many journalists and news outlets as Creative Artists Agency's (CAA) Michael Glantz, remained seated and engrossed in finishing up his salad.

A video of an unfazed-looking Glantz — known as “‘super agent” for representing top TV stars and other showbiz talent — went viral on social media after people spotted him calmly eating his salad on the CNN live feed, even as everyone around him ran for cover and towards exits. Glantz is a prominent agent at CAA who represents major media figures, including CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, who was also present at the event and was reportedly forced to the ground by police during the chaos.

Glantz’s unfazed reaction to the shooting incident, which became the biggest headline all around the world, became a viral moment with widespread social media commentary.

Read here

Allen contributed $25 to a Democratic Party political action committee in support of Kamala Harris for president in 2024, according to federal campaign finance records. A yard sign displayed at the family home supported a local candidate for judge who was endorsed by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.

Trump shooting live updates: The California man arrested in the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer opposed to the policies of President Donald Trump.

A photo of Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, posted to social media last year shows him in a cap and gown after graduating with a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills. His face appears to match the appearance of the alleged attacker taken into custody at the dinner Saturday night in Washington that was attended by Trump and top members of his administration.

In writings sent to family members minutes before the attack, the 31-year-old described himself as “Friendly Federal Assassin” and railed against recent actions taken by the U.S. government under Trump, though he did not name the Republican president directly, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

A search of state and federal court databases showed no indication Allen had ever previously been charged with a crime.

Voter registration records from California lists Allen's home address as his parent's house on a tree-lined street in one of the most historic neighborhoods in Torrance, a city within the Los Angeles metro area. Public records show he is the oldest of four adult siblings, with two younger sisters and a brother.

via AP

Trump shooting live updates: In the aftermath of the shocking shooting incident that occurred during Saturday night's White House Congressional Dinner, FBI Director Kash Patel was seen nonchalantly browsing his phone while Secret Service agents were guiding attendees on where to proceed. Patel, whose role as the head of security has recently attracted considerable speculation, was captured on video conversing on the phone before scrolling through it, as shared on social media.

"FBI Director Kash Patel seen on his phone, just hanging around outside the venue like a random WHCD attendee trying to figure out how to get an Uber after the incident," stated MeidasTouch, who posted the video clip.

Read here

Trump shooting live updates: An attempted attack at Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner is spurring fresh questions about the security around President Donald Trump and other top officials.

The armed assailant, who investigators believe was staying at the Washington Hilton where the dinner was being held, ran past a security checkpoint before being apprehended after a brief pursuit that included gunfire. Administration officials said Sunday they believe he was targeting US officials, including Trump, who faced a pair of assassination attempts in 2024.

Trump and others have praised the US Secret Service for the response and for successfully quelling the attack, but it may yet prompt a review of precautions and procedures as Trump wondered aloud about the vulnerabilities of the venue. The security for the event was essentially designed as a tight perimeter around the ballroom, with the rest of the hotel largely open to the public, raising questions about how close a potential attacker could get.

“I think we have to. We have to take a look at the outer perimeter,” Representative Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas and former chairman of the House Homeland Security panel, told Bloomberg This Weekend on Sunday. “I do think we’ll be analyzing that.”

Trump, speaking after the incident, called the Hilton “not a particularly secure building” and said again on Sunday morning that the attempted attack reinforces the need for his controversial White House ballroom project, saying that will be more secure. But it’s not an obvious venue for the annual media dinner, which is hosted by the White House Correspondents’ Association, not by the White House.

via Bloomberg

Trump shooting live updates: In a detailed manifesto that 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance wrote to his family minutes before the attack, he described himself as “Friendly Federal Assassin” and railed against recent actions taken by the US government under Trump. Towards the end of the document, he expresses remorse as he says, "Oh and if anyone is curious is how doing something like feels: it’s awful. I want to throw up; I want to cry for all the things I wanted to do and never will, for all the people whose trust this betrays; I experience rage thinking about everything this administration has done.

Can’t really recommend it! Stay in school, kids."

Trump shooting live updates: King Charles' state visit to the United States will go ahead as planned on Monday despite a shooting at a White House dinner attended by President Donald Trump, Buckingham Palace said after discussions with US officials.

Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, are due to arrive on Monday for a four-day state visit, but questions arose after a man opened fire on security personnel near the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday, prompting Secret Service agents to rush Trump from the venue.

U.S. authorities believe the shooting likely targeted the president and administration officials, acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said.

Blanche also said he was confident Charles would be safe during this week's visit to the US.

The four-day trip — which is to include a private meeting with Trump and an address to Congress marking 250 years since US independence — is intended to reinforce the strained US-British relationship amid differences over the Iran war.

Trump shooting live updates: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Sunday gave a call for political violence to end following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, where US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and other high-ranking officials from his cabinet were present.

In a post on X, she called the US President "truly fearless" and decried how a "fun night" to celebrate free speech was hijacked by a person who wanted to assassinate US President Trump and as many administration officials as possible.

"What was supposed to be a fun night at the @WHCA dinner with President Trump delivering jokes and celebrating free speech was hijacked by a depraved crazy person who sought to assassinate the President and kill as many top Trump administration officials as possible."

The post further said, "I was with President Trump and the First Lady back stage after we were quickly ushered to safety by Secret Service. President Trump was truly fearless, but as he said last night, this political violence needs to end."

"Thank you to law enforcement for keeping all of us safe, including the brave agent who took a bullet to the chest and immediately moved to neutralize the shooter. Pray for our country."

Trump shooting live updates: In the manifesto, Cole Tomas Allen used several nicknames for himself, including 'coldForce’, and wrote about his targets inside the Trump administration, NY Post reported.

Trump shooting live updates: The family of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting suspect has revealed his past radical statements and his stated desire to “fix” the world, as details of his manifesto emerge.

Trump shooting live updates: Questions have been raised over the Secret Service’s response after Cole Thomas Allen opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night, with a viral video on Sunday fuelling claims that JD Vance was escorted out before Donald Trump.

Trump shooting live updates: Cole Tomas Allen, the alleged gunman who is accused of the White House Correspondents' Dinner, listed his targets, which included US President Donald Trump and all of the members of his administration except, FBI chief Kash Patel, according to the New York Post. Read more

Trump shooting live updates: The suspect in the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner allegedly sent an anti-Trump manifesto to a family member minutes before opening fire at the gala venue.

According to the New York Post, the document stated that he intended to target officials linked to the administration of US President Donald Trump.

“I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,” the gunman, identified as Cole Allen, allegedly wrote in the manifesto published by the outlet. Read more

Trump shooting live updates: The White House on Sunday shared new details about Cole Allen, the suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, including information provided by his family after the incident.

According to officials, Allen’s brother alerted the New London Police Department in Connecticut that he had sent family members an alleged manifesto ahead of the shooting at the Washington Hilton hotel.

US President Donald Trump, speaking to Fox News’ “The Sunday Briefing,” said the alleged manifesto showed strong hostility toward Christians.

"The guy is a sick guy," Trump said. "When you read his manifesto, he hates Christians. That's one thing for sure. He hates Christians, a hatred. And I think his sister or his brother actually was complaining about it. You know, they were even complaining to law enforcement. So he was, he was a very troubled guy."

Trump shooting live updates: US President Donald Trump said the shooting incident highlighted how badly a new White House ballroom is needed, Fox News reported.

Trump shooting live updates: US President Donald Trump said the alleged gunman at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was “stopped cold” by security and did not come close to entering the ballroom, according to Fox News.

Trump shooting live updates: US President Donald Trump said it was difficult to completely secure the venue of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Fox News reported.

Trump shooting live updates: Britain’s King Charles III on Sunday said he was “greatly relieved” that US President Donald Trump, Melania Trump and other guests were unharmed after a shooting at a Washington media gala.

The incident took place late Saturday during the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents’ Association, less than 48 hours before Charles and Queen Camilla are set to begin a four-day state visit to the United States.

Buckingham Palace said the monarch is being “kept fully informed of developments,” adding that discussions are ongoing with US counterparts to assess whether the incident could impact the planning of the visit.