President Donald Trump clashed with a news anchor after she read a gunman's manifesto following an attempted attack at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

07:09, Mon, Apr 27, 2026 Updated: 07:10, Mon, Apr 27, 2026

President Trump Makes a Statement From White House After Possible Shooting At WHCA Dinner

Donald Trump was fuming during an interview (Image: Getty)

In a tense and highly charged interview on 60 Minutes, US President Donald Trump erupted at anchor Norah O'Donnell, calling her a “disgrace” after she read aloud excerpts from a manifesto written by a man accused of attempting to attack the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

The confrontation followed a dramatic Saturday night at the Washington Hilton, where 31-year-old suspect Cole Thomas Allen allegedly rushed past security armed with multiple weapons, including a shotgun and handgun, before being stopped by law enforcement. Authorities say Allen sent a manifesto to family members minutes before the incident, outlining grievances and identifying “administrative officials” as targets.

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Trump Evacuated After Shots Fired At Correspondents Dinner

A man has been accused of attempting to attack the White House Correspondents' Dinner. (Image: Getty)

During the interview, O’Donnell quoted lines from the document in which the suspect used extreme language, including accusations describing a political figure as a “pedophile, rapist, and traitor.” Trump immediately pushed back, interrupting the anchor and condemning the decision to read the remarks on air.

“Because you’re horrible people,” he said. “I am not a rapist. I didn’t rape anybody.” When O’Donnell attempted to ask whether the comments referred to him, Trump cut her off again, adding, “I am not a pedophile,” and accusing the network of amplifying the words of “some sick person.”

Trump also referenced past scrutiny over his association with Jeffrey Epstein, insisting he had no involvement in Epstein’s crimes and had been “totally exonerated.”

He has never been charged in connection with Epstein. “You should be ashamed of yourself reading that,” Trump told O’Donnell. “You’re a disgrace. But go ahead, let’s finish the interview.”

Recounting the incident inside the hotel, Trump said he initially hesitated as agents from the United States Secret Service moved to secure him and First Lady Melania Trump.

“I wanted to see what was happening,” he said, adding that he later followed instructions to drop to the floor as agents assessed the threat. He praised law enforcement for their response, saying officers reacted quickly, drew their weapons, and subdued the suspect without firing.

Investigators say Allen’s writings, later provided to authorities by relatives, contained ideological grievances and suggested a willingness to carry out violence against government officials.

According to reporting from the New York Post, the manifesto also referenced broader political and moral frustrations and outlined plans intended to minimise collateral damage while still targeting those he blamed for perceived injustices.

Family members told investigators they had grown increasingly concerned about Allen’s behaviour in recent months, due to his access to firearms and escalating rhetoric.

Evidence recovered from electronic devices and interviews with relatives showed he had been discussing plans to take action, though it remains unclear whether the correspondents’ dinner was his original intended target.

The suspect remains in custody and is undergoing evaluation as the investigation into his motives and possible affiliations continues.