After the gunman who attempted to rush through security to target Donald Trump and members of his administration was arrested, conspiracy theories quickly spread online. Some even claimed the entire incident was staged, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt cited as “proof.” Now, the White House has responded.
Cole Tomas Allen was charged after forcing his way past a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives. He reportedly exchanged gunfire with law enforcement before being subdued and arrested.
Sources close to the investigation told ABC News that early evidence indicates Allen’s plan was to carry out a mass shooting targeting as many people as possible.
On Monday, Allen was formally charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump. He was also charged with transportation of a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, a prosecutor said at his arraignment in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.
Footage from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner showed attendees taking cover behind tables as chaos unfolded. Donald and Melania Trump, along with other administration officials, were escorted to safety by Secret Service agents.
Even so, conspiracy theories soon emerged questioning what happened and whether it was real.
Social media users claimed Trump assassination attempt was “staged”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt fueled speculation after making a joke ahead of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. One of her remarks later took on a different meaning following the shooting.
Speaking with Fox News before the event, Leavitt previewed Trump’s appearance, saying he was “ready to rumble,” promising a “classic Donald J. Trump” speech that would be “entertaining.”
Referring to Trump’s expected remarks and the political roasting typical of the dinner, she also said, “There will be some shots fired tonight in the room.” After the incident, some online users interpreted the comment as if she had prior knowledge of what would occur.
One person wrote on X: “It was a planned fake assassination attempt directed by Trump, Karoline was literally saying out loud watch we need you to this so Trump polling goes back up sick monsters.”
A second added, “Tell us more, Karoline. How did you pick the guy? From central casting?”
A third said, “What an odd choice of words. Trump, so thin-skinned, he used another assassination attempt to keep from being roasted. He’s cried ‘wolf’ once too often!”
White House responds to claims that assassination attempt was “staged”
The White House has now responded to the speculation. During a press briefing, Karoline Leavitt said the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI had done a “good job” addressing claims that the White House Correspondents’ Dinner attack was “staged.”
“It is very important for us that we get the truth and the facts about this case and any case out there as quickly as possible to get some of the crazy nonsense that you see running rampant online,” Leavitt said. “The Department of Justice and the FBI thus far have done a good job of disseminating the truth and the facts about this attempted assassin,” she added.
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