UFC chief Dana White gave a bizarre account of the terrifying events that unfolded during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, describing the violent scenes as 'f***ing awesome.' The MMA mogul was seated near the head table at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night when a lone gunman evaded security, despite the presence of President Donald Trump.
Officer Shot, Suspect Identified
One officer was shot but protected by his bulletproof vest and taken to hospital. The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was reportedly carrying a shotgun and handgun. He was a guest at the hotel where the dinner was held. He faces charges including assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but acting US attorney general Todd Blanche said additional charges will be filed.
White Refuses to Take Cover
While more than 2,000 guests – including cabinet members and journalists – dived under tables for safety, White admitted he refused to follow Secret Service instructions to get down. 'It started to get noisy. Tables getting flipped over, guys running in with guns. They were telling me to get down, I didn’t get down. It was f***ing awesome. I literally took every minute of it in. And it was pretty crazy, unique experience,' White told USA Today.
White added: 'We were sitting right in front of where the President was. Nobody got tackled. Guys came in looking for shooters. They came over to our table. I thought the shooter was over by us or something.'
International Reaction
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer sent a message of solidarity to President Trump after the incident, according to Chief Secretary to the PM Darren Jones. 'The Prime Minister has, this morning, sent a message to the president of the United States in solidarity for the events that took place,' Jones said on Sky News. He noted that with King Charles III's state visit beginning Monday, security arrangements are being closely coordinated.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on security matters when asked about any impact on the royal visit. President Trump posted pictures of the alleged assailant handcuffed on the ground and vowed to reschedule the disrupted event. He praised the Secret Service and said the gunman was 'a lone wolf whack job.'
Timeline of Threats Against Trump
- June 18, 2016: Assassination attempt at Las Vegas rally – Michael Steven Sandford tried to grab a police officer's pistol.
- September 6, 2017: Forklift attack in North Dakota – Gregory Lee Leingang attempted to drive a forklift toward the presidential motorcade.
- September 20, 2020: Ricin poisoning attempt – Pascale Cécile Véronique Ferrier arrested after a ricin-laced letter was intercepted.
- July 12, 2024: Murder-for-hire plot – Pakistani national Asif Merchant arrested for plotting to kill Trump on behalf of Iran.
- July 13, 2024: Assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania – Thomas Crooks fired eight shots, wounding Trump and killing one audience member.
- September 15, 2025: Assassination attempt in West Palm Beach, Florida – Ryan Routh sighted with a rifle at Trump International Golf Club; sentenced to life.
- February 22, 2026: Mar-a-Lago intruder – Austin Tucker Martin shot dead by Secret Service.
- April 25, 2026: White House Correspondents’ dinner – Gunshots at Washington Hilton; suspect Cole Tomas Allen arrested.
President Trump said the incident was 'always shocking' but noted it unified political opponents and the media. 'I saw a room that was just totally unified. It was, in one way, very beautiful, a very beautiful thing,' he said.
