Obama says the cause of the shooting at the Correspondent’s Dinner is still unclear
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Former President Barack Obama said the cause of the shooting outside the White House dinner is still unclear, as investigators review the suspect’s documents detailing plans to target President Donald Trump and members of his administration.
Obama’s statement on X focused first on the lack of confirmed information about what led to the attack before condemning the violence in general and praising the Secret Service.
“While we do not yet have details about the motive for last night’s shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, it is up to all of us to reject the notion that violence has a place in our democracy,” Obama wrote in X. “It is also a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice that US Secret Service Agents display every day.
“I’m thankful for them — and I’m thankful that the agent who was shot is going to be OK,” he added.
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A composite photo shows White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooter Cole Allen being held down by law enforcement (left), and former President Barack Obama (right). (Cole Alan: @realDonaldTrump via Truth Social ; Obama: Getty Images)
Fox News Digital has reached out to Obama’s team for clarification on his comments.
Authorities have identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Allen of California, who allegedly opened fire at the Washington Hilton during an annual event attended by Trump and senior administration officials.
Federal law enforcement officials confirmed to Fox News Digital that after Allen’s arrest, he said he intended to target Trump administration officials and prepare a manifesto explaining his intentions, while sharing anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric on social media.
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The documents identified administration officials as possible targets and revealed complaints tied to the Trump administration, and investigators are examining those statements as part of what may have led to the attack.
Law enforcement officials have not officially confirmed the exact motive as the investigation is ongoing.
In an interview with “60 Minutes” host Norah O’Donnell that aired Sunday evening, Trump took part after reading part of the allegations.
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President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, April 25, 2026, following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
O’Donnell cited passages where the suspect appeared to explain the motive, writing that administration officials were “targeted” and making harsh accusations against Trump before asking for the president’s response.
“I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you were going to be… bad people,” Trump told O’Donnell.
“Do you read that sick man’s dog? I associated myself with all the things that had nothing to do with me,” he continued, adding that he was released.
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Trump then took aim directly at the host.
“I’m not one of those things,” he said. “You should be ashamed of yourself for reading that. You shouldn’t be reading that on ’60 Minutes.’ You’re a shame, but, go ahead, let’s finish the interview.”
