'Look At Abraham Lincoln': Trump Says Assassins Target 'Most Impactful' People After Shooting Scare

Last Updated:April 26, 2026, 13:24 IST

Donald Trump was seated on the dais at the White House Correspondents' Association's dinner, when loud bangs triggered panic across the room

U.S. President Donald Trump, who faced yet another shooting scare during White House Correspondents’ Dinner, struck a philosophical tone as he sought to answer a journalist inquiring about the reason behind such attacks against him.

“I ask respectfully, why do you think this keeps happening to you?" a reporter asked Trump, after the shooting incident at the White House event that triggered a major security response.

In response, Trump likened himself to former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, suggesting assassins go after the “most impactful people".

“Well, you know, I’ve studied assassinations. And I must tell you the most impactful people, the people that do the most — you take a look at Abraham Lincoln… the people that make the biggest impact, they’re the ones that they go after."

“I hate to say I’m honored by that, but I’ve done a lot," he said, adding, “We’ve changed this country, and there are a lot of people that are not happy about that. So I think that’s the answer."

‘It’s A Dangerous Life’

Addressing the media, the U.S. President invoked a personal remark about the nature of his job and the risks that it entails.

“I lead a pretty normal life, considering, you know, it’s a dangerous life", Trump said, adding, “A lot of other people, you know, you read stories where they become basket cases. To be honest, I’m not a basket case."

About The Incident

Donald Trump was seated on the dais at the White House Correspondents’ Association’s dinner, when loud bangs triggered panic across the room.

Amid the chaos, he and First Lady Melania Trump was escorted out of the venue by U.S. Secret Service personnel as the attendees ducked under tables in shock.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, along with top cabinet officials, were also evacuated to safety.

Accused In Custody

The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was taken into custody shortly after the incident.

Giving details of the incident, Donald Trump said the shooting suspect was his “would-be assassin", adding the authorities seemed to think he was a “lone wolf".

A further probe into the incident remains underway.

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