Donald Trump has relived the heart-stopping moment a “lone wolf whack job” stormed his glitzy black-tie gala – as the world reacts to the chaos that unfolded. The 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton was supposed to be a night of high-society schmoozing.
However, it descended into a terrifying siege when suspected gunman Cole Tomas Allen allegedly launched an attempted hit on the US President.
From the suspect labelling himself a “Friendly Federal Assassin” to a tuxedoed agent using himself as a human shield, the night was packed with shocks that have left people reeling. Here are the six biggest bombshells from the night.
1. The ‘Friendly’ Manifesto
Allen is believed to have sent a chilling document to his family minutes before the first shot was fired. In a twisted move, the 31-year-old reportedly dubbed himself the “Friendly Federal Assassin.”
While he apologised to his parents for the “surprise,” the manifesto revealed a dark, radicalised mind. He wrote: “I am no longer willing to permit a paedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,” in an apparent jab at the President.
He also allegedly mocked the “arrogance” of the hotel security, boasting that he allegedly walked in with multiple weapons without a single person considering him a threat.
2. The Target List
It wasn’t just Trump in the crosshairs. The New York Post reports that the manifesto contained a prioritised “hit list” ranging from the highest-ranking officials down to the lowest.
The suspect claimed he was ready to “go through most everyone here” to fix the world. Trump later told Fox News that the writings allegedly proved Allen was a “sick guy” who harboured intense anti-Christian and anti-Trump views.
Meanwhile, his sister described him as a former tutor who had a “tendency towards making radical comments.”
3. The Bizarre Wheelchair Invention
It has emerged that the “would-be assassin” was once a budding boy-genius. Resurfaced footage from nearly a decade ago shows a young Allen at an “Ageing into the Future” conference.
The then-Caltech student was seen proudly demonstrating a wheelchair safety brake made of PVC pipes. At the time, he claimed it would “prevent the chair from skidding.”
Fast forward to 2026, and the “innovator” is alleged to have used his skills to bypass security with a shotgun, handgun, and a bulletproof vest.
4. The ‘Human Shield’ Hero
As the first pops of gunfire rang through the lobby, one man didn’t hesitate. While guests dived under tables, a man believed to be a Secret Service agent lunged toward the President, using his own body as a human shield.
Grainy footage shows the hero jumping onto the stage to cover Trump as he was whisked away. But the real miracle happened in the lobby shootout, where an agent was struck at point-blank range by a “very powerful gun.”
In a stroke of luck, the bullet was reportedly deflected by his phone before being stopped by his ballistic vest. Trump later praised the officer’s bravery, saying: “He was shot from very close distance…and the vest did the job. I just spoke to the officer and he’s doing great.”
5. ‘Salad Man’ Keeps on crunching
The internet has found its new icon in Michael Glantz, a top talent agent dubbed “Salad Man.” While 2,600 guests were screaming and crawling through the Hilton’s kitchens, Glantz stayed in his seat, tucking into a spring pea and buffalo burrata salad.
Explaining his cool-as-a-cucumber vibe, the New Yorker said: “I have a bad back…if I did get on the floor, they’d have to bring in people to get me off the floor.”
He also admitted he’s a “hygiene freak” and wasn’t about to ruin his fresh tuxedo on the “dirty Hilton floor.”
6. The Wine-Grabbing Woman
A blonde guest in a glamorous black fur coat became a viral sensation after she was caught on camera gathering wine bottles as the Secret Service swarmed the stage.
While others feared for their lives, she headed straight for a table to secure the booze.
Social media users have hailed her priorities, with one fan joking: “The highlight of the shooting is the press and influencers yoinking bottles of wine and champagne.”
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