DC-Shooting at White House Correspondents Dinner, April 25, 2026

[Bodhi]

Oh I see. I wasn't aware of that ability. Thanks for educating me on that.

I'd be fine with all the journalists to be there live, but the Presidential succession? Best if they aren't all there in person IMO. Others had brought up 'what if there was a bomb?' I can't even image if we lost the the entire succession. What then?

Absolutely. I couldn't agree with you more. It has never happened before at any event, as far as I know. I don't believe the vice-president has ever been there when the president was. Now, to have everyone without a designated survivor? Kiefer Sutherland would like a word.

It's especially bizarre that everyone in the presidential line of succession would be in one place at the same time since that's how the US just killed the entire senior leadership of Iran only weeks ago. Plus, the US is at war and the President warned about terrorism from extensive Iranian sleeper cells in the US. It raises concerns about decision making. Let's hope the enormous breach of security protocol reframes risk assessment.

All JMO.

 

[Sundog]

Does this country really need a White House Correspondents Dinner? Seems like a waste of money. Money that can be better used elsewhere.

The members of the WHC Association raise money at the dinner to support WHC Association Scholars. One of our student journalists locally was at the dinner and is one of the Association's Scholars. I think it's a worthy cause and it is funded voluntarily by their members who are WH correspondents. Educational opportunities like this for our young people isn't a waste of money, IMO.

 

[Sundog]

Cole Tomas Allen made a hotel reservation at the Washington Hilton for three nights, from Friday to Sunday, according to a newly unsealed probable cause affidavit.

He traveled by train from his home near Los Angeles to Chicago last Tuesday, arriving in Chicago on Thursday, the affidavit says. Then he boarded a train that arrived in Washington on Friday around 1 p.m.

Two hours later, around 3 p.m., he checked into a "specific hotel room" at the Hilton and remained there overnight, the affidavit says.C

Suspect's travel to D.C. detailed in new court document

Cole Tomas Allen made a hotel reservation at the Washington Hilton for three nights, from Friday to Sunday, according to a newly unsealed probable cause

www.nbcnews.com

And CA made his hotel reservation on April 6th. So he planned to assassinate the President and members of the Administration well before he left the LA area to travel to Washington, DC.

 

[Sundog]

. It could just be bad reporting, but in his press conference Todd Blanche was very cagey about why Cole Allen hadn't been charged with shooting the officer.

I watched the DOJ's press conference and I didn't see anything "cagey" about AG Blanche's remarks. He was completely forthcoming about the situation and stated that ballistics are still being analyzed and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia stated that additional charges could be forthcoming. This is all not unusual for a criminal investigation that has been underway for only 48 approximate hours.

 

[SouthAussie]

And CA made his hotel reservation on April 6th. So he planned to assassinate the President and members of the Administration well before he left the LA area to travel to Washington, DC.

Yes, it was announced on 2nd March that Trump would attend the WHCD. Plenty of time for Cole to make his plans and bookings.



Tue 3 Mar 2026 11.17 AEDT

Donald Trump said Monday he will attend the White House correspondents’ association dinner for the first time as president.

Trump will attend White House Correspondents’ Dinner for first time as president

Trump boycotted the dinner in 2017 and has not attended any in either of his terms as president

www.theguardian.com

 

[Sundog]

dbm

When Melania's husband celebrates his opponents' (Robert Mueller) deaths and depicts the Obamas as apes, what does she call that?

Even David Axelrod, former advisor to Obama, has called for Kimmel to apologize to the First Lady for his "tasteless" remarks.

 

[HmmMysterious]

dbm

Even David Axelrod, former advisor to Obama, has called for Kimmel to apologize to the First Lady for his "tasteless" remarks.

Yeah sure right after Trump apologizes for all his bs

 

[Spyralflare]

Violence is Rare in Autism: When It Does Occur, Is It Sometimes Extreme? - PubMed

A small body of literature has suggested that, rather than being more likely to engage in offending or violent behavior, individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may actually have an increased risk of being the victim rather than the perpetrator of violence (Sobsey, Wells, Lucardie, & Man …

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[SouthAussie]

dbm

Even David Axelrod, former advisor to Obama, has called for Kimmel to apologize to the First Lady for his "tasteless" remarks.

Kimmel described the joke during his Monday night monologue as being about the Trumps' age difference, calling it "a very light roast joke about the fact that he's almost 80 and she's younger than I am. It was not by any stretch of the definition a call to assassination. And they know that.

"I've been very vocal for many years speaking out against gun violence, in particular. But I understand that the first lady had a stressful experience over the weekend. ... And also, I agree that hateful and violent rhetoric is something we should reject. I do. And I think a great place to start to dial that back would be to have a conversation with your husband about it."

After noting that all Americans have a right to free speech, Kimmel said, "I am sorry that you and the president and everyone in that room on Saturday went through that. I really am. Because no one got killed doesn't mean it wasn't traumatic and scary. And we should come together. ... But do you want us to believe that a joke I made three days before this dinner had any effect on anything that happened (Saturday night)?"

Jimmy Kimmel defends himself after Donald and Melania Trump call for him to be fired

Jimmy Kimmel has responded to Donald and Melania Trump calling for ABC to fire him after a joke he made days before the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[Betty P]

Absolutely. I couldn't agree with you more. It has never happened before at any event, as far as I know. I don't believe the vice-president has ever been there when the president was. Now, to have everyone without a designated survivor? Kiefer Sutherland would like a word.

It's especially bizarre that everyone in the presidential line of succession would be in one place at the same time since that's how the US just killed the entire senior leadership of Iran only weeks ago. Plus, the US is at war and the President warned about terrorism from extensive Iranian sleeper cells in the US. It raises concerns about decision making. Let's hope the enormous breach of security protocol reframes risk assessment.

All JMO.

My assumption is Trump wanted everyone there. The WH Correspondents Dinner never had that many members of the Administration there before. It’s an event for journalists, not politicians. It seemed very unusual. I don’t watch it every year, but I do most. It’s impossible to predict if Trump will make changes back to standard safety protocol. He usually prefers to ignore established rules and safety measures.

 

[Katrinepa]

The third attempt that made it this far. Secret Service deals with things like this all the time, and usually intervene long before it comes to this.

True, But in his Manifesto, he talks about the administration, and does not mention Trump himself at all. He is now being charged with attempting to murder Trump, but he did not physically get even close to him. The venue was in the large basement, and the shooter did not enter that floor at all. Weak charge, moo

 

[Katrinepa]

Jeffrey Sachs on Trump, Netanyahu, and the war in Iran. Spot on analysis.

 

[Betty P]

dbm

Even David Axelrod, former advisor to Obama, has called for Kimmel to apologize to the First Lady for his "tasteless" remarks.

Though he’s occasionally on tv, David Axelrod is not particularly respected by most Democrats. He was a glorified campaign manager and a conservative, so it’s unlikely many people care about what he thinks.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Who would ever want to be President anymore?

I hope we have some amazing and fearless Presidents in the future. Some who genuinely care about the country and its people, environmental protection, helping the most vulnerable, bringing people together, who can inspire hope and bring out the best in people, help the country grow and make needed changes.

Horrible events like this are a symptom, IMO.
The suspect doesn't appear to be a mentally ill nor personality disordered person. I am glad he survived. What made someone who just worked to earn his Master's degree last year, and who was an admired educator, who had hope all along, decide to give it up and that this was his next step in life?

 

[Katrinepa]

The shooter wrote that he was going to use birdshot- lots of small pellets in the shot gun shell. That's not verified that I know of. The size of the pellets vary on up to a slug- one big solid pellet like you'd use for deer and bigger game.

The quote I read was buckshot. I have no knowledge of guns overall, but that is the word he used in his 'manifesto'.

 

[Katrinepa]

I hope we have some amazing and fearless Presidents in the future. Some who genuinely care about the country and its people, environmental protection, helping the most vulnerable, bringing people together, who can inspire hope and bring out the best in people, help the country grow and make needed changes.

Horrible events like this are a symptom, IMO.
The suspect doesn't appear to be a mentally ill nor personality disordered person. I am glad he survived. What made someone who just worked to earn his Master's degree last year, and who was an admired educator, who had hope all along, decide to give it up and that this was his next step in life?

While I agree in part, he must have had a mental 'break' that led him to this violent action sadly. The largest symptom of a warped society is Donald Trump himself. He is the face of Project 2025, as are his administration members, who are carrying out their 'plan'.
Also shocking to me that any teacher would us his guns to try and kill anyone. That person, no matter who/what he once was/acted like, should not be allowed anywhere near children, impov. Very sad situation overall, and frankly, very odd total circumstances overall, aside from the shooter. Tragic for all associated with this young man. moo

 

[Yellowbelly]

The quote I read was buckshot. I have no knowledge of guns overall, but that is the word he used in his 'manifesto'.

Shotgun cartridges. They contain a number of small metal balls, traditionally made of lead, which shoot out of the gun when it's fired.

The balls come in different sizes. Birdshot is small balls suitable for killing birds, whilst buckshot consists of larger balls capable of taking down a larger game animal like a deer.

Or a person, if you're that way inclined.

Shotgun cartridge - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[indicolite22]

While I agree in part, he must have had a mental 'break' that led him to this violent action sadly. The largest symptom of a warped society is Donald Trump himself. He is the face of Project 2025, as are his administration members, who are carrying out their 'plan'.
Also shocking to me that any teacher would us his guns to try and kill anyone. That person, no matter who/what he once was/acted like, should not be allowed anywhere near children, impov. Very sad situation overall, and frankly, very odd total circumstances overall, aside from the shooter. Tragic for all associated with this young man. moo

He wasn't a teacher but a part-time tutor to highschool graduates. There were others who were teachers that murdered, like in the case from Arkansas where a primary school teacher killed two parents at a state park.

 

[303gmf]

Jeffrey Sachs on Trump, Netanyahu, and the war in Iran. Spot on analysis.

Excellent listen!
Thank you for sharing

 

[PrairieWind]

Oh I see. I wasn't aware of that ability. Thanks for educating me on that.

I'd be fine with all the journalists to be there live, but the Presidential succession? Best if they aren't all there in person IMO. Others had brought up 'what if there was a bomb?' I can't even image if we lost the the entire succession. What then?

Isn't it like the State of the Union speech where everyone is there? And they leave a designated survivor somewhere else?