The alleged gunman who targeted Donald Trump at the White House Correspondent's Dinner sent a manifesto filled with bizarre apologies and excuses to friends and family before the attack. Cole Allen, a teacher, is accused of sending the 1,052-word document about 10 minutes before the shooting, outlining his apparent "rules of engagement" and stating it was his duty to target members of the Trump administration.
Manifesto Details
Allen reportedly began the manifesto by "apologising to everyone whose trust I abused," including his parents, colleagues, and students. He wrote, "I apologise to my parents for saying I had an interview without specifying it was for 'Most Wanted'." He also apologised to fellow travellers, hotel staff, and victims of past crimes, saying, "I apologise to everyone who was abused and/or murdered before this, to all those who suffered before I was able to attempt this."
The Attack
Allen was arrested after rushing through a security checkpoint and shooting an agent at the dinner in Washington DC. Police say he was armed with firearms and knives. Trump and first lady Melania Trump were evacuated as gunshots rang out. The 31-year-old suspect is from Torrance, California.
In the manifesto, Allen listed administration officials as targets, stating he was no longer "willing to permit a paedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes." Trump later denied the claims, telling 60 Minutes, "I'm not a paedophile."
This is not the first assassination attempt on Trump. In 2024, he was shot in the ear at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, by Thomas Crooks, who was killed. Questions remain about security lapses in that incident.
