Obama says motive in Correspondents’ Dinner shooting still unclear
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Former President Barack Obama said the motive for the shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner remained unclear even as investigators examined the suspect’s writings outlining plans to target President Donald Trump and members of his administration.
Obama’s statement on X focused primarily on the lack of confirmed details about what triggered the attack, before more broadly condemning the violence and praising the Secret Service.
“While we do not yet have details about the motives behind the shooting at last night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, it is incumbent on all of us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy,” Obama wrote in his op-ed for X. “This is also a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice that U.S. Secret Service Agents demonstrate every day.”
“I’m grateful to them and thankful that the agent who was shot will recover,” he added.
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Composite image shows alleged White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooter Cole Allen being restrained on the ground by law enforcement (left) alongside 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 identified the suspect as Cole Allen, a 31-year-old California man who allegedly opened fire at the Washington Hilton during the annual event attended by Trump and senior administration officials.
Federal law enforcement officials confirmed to Fox News Digital that Allen planned to target Trump administration officials following his arrest and prepared a manifesto detailing his intentions, while also sharing anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric on social media.
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The articles identified administration officials as potential targets and aired grievances linked to the Trump administration; Investigators examined these statements as part of what triggered the attack.
Law enforcement officials have not officially confirmed an exact motive because the investigation is ongoing.
During an interview with “60 Minutes” host Norah O’Donnell that aired Sunday evening, Trump objected after reading part of the alleged manifesto.
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President Donald Trump speaks at a news conference following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
O’Donnell cited passages in which the suspect outlines a motive, writes that administration officials are “targets” and makes incendiary accusations against Trump, before asking for the president’s reaction.
“I was waiting for you to read this because I knew you would … you are terrible people,” Trump told O’Donnell.
“Did you read this nonsense from a sick person? I was associated with everything that had nothing to do with me,” he continued, adding that he was cleared.
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Trump then took direct aim at the host.
“I am none of these,” he said. “You should be ashamed of yourself for reading this. You shouldn’t be reading this on ’60 Minutes.’ You’re a disgrace, but go ahead and let’s finish the interview.”
