Cole Allen's reported fiery social media posts have resurfaced after his arrest at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday for firing shots outside the gala. The 31-year-old California man is alleged to have shared or amplified messages on X branding political figures as 'fascist' and warning that 'THERE. IS. NO. LAW. ANYMORE' in the months leading up to the incident.
Pre-Arrest Online Activity
Screenshots circulating online appear to show posts from November 4, 2024, attributed to an account believed to be linked to Allen, including one message stating, 'So exciting this week, we'll either have the first woman president or the end of America,' followed by another post the next day stating that the user had voted for Kamala Harris. Other resurfaced posts attributed to the same account appear to show heated political rhetoric, including comparisons between modern officials and notorious figures from authoritarian regimes.
In another widely circulated message from November 2024, the account is shown sharing commentary referencing fears about nuclear weapons and climate change, linking to a satirical Cold War-era song about global destruction. A separate screenshot appears to show a reply to a post referencing President Donald Trump, shared by his daughter Tiffany Trump, quoting the Bible verse: 'You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires.' Additional posts attributed to the account include messages warning about democracy collapsing, constitutional breakdowns and alleged authoritarian control.
Arrest and Weapons
Authorities said Allen, a resident of Torrance, California, was taken into custody after allegedly attempting to gain entry to the White House Correspondents' Dinner while carrying multiple weapons. Officials reported that the weapons included a shotgun, a handgun and several knives. Gunfire was discharged during the confrontation, though authorities have not confirmed whether the shots originated from Allen or responding security personnel. No fatalities were reported, and officials said Allen was not struck during the incident.
Manifesto and Legal Proceedings
A 1,052-word manifesto, reportedly signed 'Cole 'coldForce' 'Friendly Federal Assassin' Allen,' outlined what were described as 'rules of engagement' and stated that targeting administration officials was viewed as a duty, according to reporting by the New York Post. He was transported to a nearby hospital following his arrest and is expected to face court proceedings as investigators work to determine what led to the security breach.
Social Media Scrutiny
Meanwhile, Allen's reported online activity has drawn widespread attention, with social media users combing through posts and reposts believed to be linked to accounts associated with his name. One such account was reportedly removed following the incident and has since reappeared in the form of parody or reposted archives circulating online. Screenshots of X posts shared by the account KanekoaTheGreat show messages attributed to accounts believed to be connected to Allen that feature heated political rhetoric, including warnings about authoritarianism and concerns over democratic governance.
Political Commentary and Reshares
Many of the X posts circulating online and attributed to accounts believed to be linked to Allen appear to consist of reshares of commentary from well-known public figures, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former Vice President Kamala Harris. Among the messages highlighted in widely shared screenshots are posts that include language describing Donald Trump as authoritarian or fascist. One widely circulated screenshot appears to show a repost of commentary from Jennifer Rubin, which reads: 'Trump is instigating a pogrom. This is what fascists do.' Another screenshot shared online appears to show a repost attributed to songwriter Ricky Davila, which states: 'It's insane to me how many people believe that the US govt will remain the same after a fascist convicted felon with full immunity gets back into the White House and his insane criminalistic loyalists are leading all departments. Are you seeing what I'm seeing?'
Additional posts circulating online appear to show a message comparing members of Trump's cabinet to figures including Heinrich Himmler, Joseph Goebbels, and Reinhard Heydrich. Those figures were among the most powerful and feared architects of the Nazi regime and its police state during World War II. Other reposted messages circulating online include claims suggesting that certain political developments represented a breakdown of democratic norms, including phrases such as 'Just name Putin as director of national intelligence.' Screenshots shared online also appear to show commentary from Rick Stengel, who served under President Barack Obama from 2014 to 2016, warning that the country was moving toward what the post described as an 'oligarchy.'
Nuclear and Climate References
One of the most widely discussed posts circulating online is dated November 7, 2024, and has been attributed to an account believed by users to be linked to Allen. In that message, the account appears to include the statement: 'The positive of having elected someone who will accelerate climate change and either give Putin America's nukes or set them off randomly.' The same post includes a link to the song We Will All Go Together When We Go by satirist Tom Lehrer. The song, originally written during the Cold War era, uses dark humor to reference nuclear annihilation, and its inclusion in the post has been widely highlighted by social media users reviewing the account's activity.
Constitutional and Democratic Warnings
Several other resurfaced messages circulating online appear to show the resharing of commentary warning about potential constitutional breakdowns or democratic collapse. These reposted messages include warnings suggesting that the rule of law was eroding and that democratic systems were under threat. Some of the reshared commentary also referenced claims about oligarchies and authoritarian governance, language that frequently appears in polarized political debates.
Tiffany Trump Interaction
Another widely circulated post dated November 5, 2024, appears to reference a message shared by Tiffany Trump, daughter of Donald Trump. In the original message, Tiffany Trump had shared comments stating that her father was not involved with Project 2025, a policy initiative developed by the Heritage Foundation outlining proposals for a future Republican administration. Screenshots circulating online appear to show a reply attributed to the same account quoting a Bible passage in response, stating: 'John 8:42-44 seems appropriate for this: "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language."'
