Summary4 min read

Morning Wire Podcast Summary

Episode: BREAKING NEWS: Shots Fired At White House Correspondents’ Dinner
Date: April 26, 2026
Hosts: John Bickley (Daily Wire Executive Editor), with additional reporting from staff and expert guests

Episode Overview

This breaking news edition of Morning Wire provides real-time coverage and analysis of a shooting incident that occurred at the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner. President Donald Trump was swiftly evacuated from the scene unharmed after shots were fired near the event, which led to chaos and a large security response. The hosts detail the timeline, identify the suspect, and offer immediate reactions from President Trump and law enforcement officials.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Shooting Incident Unfolds

[00:33] The episode opens with an urgent update: shots have been fired at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
- John Bickley: “President Trump was rushed off stage tonight after shots were fired at the White House Correspondents Dinner.”
[00:38] Eyewitness account from inside the venue, emphasizing the chaos and fear.
- Daily Wire Staff Member: “Complete chaos here, a lot of fear inside the room…where we heard the gunshots.”

2. Security Response & Immediate Aftermath

[00:51] Secret Service agent shot, but protected by his vest.
[00:58] On-the-ground security analysis suggests the shots were defensive, indicating a quick and contained response.
- Security Analyst: “It sounded to me that the shooting was outside… like it was defensive shooting, that it wasn't an out of control shooting. So I immediately thought, okay, someone has come into the building and Secret Service has reacted.”
[01:11] The shooter apprehended and identified. President Trump delivers a press conference within minutes.

3. Details About the Suspect

[02:10] Identity revealed: Cole Allen, 31, a part-time teacher from Torrance, California, with apparent minor Democratic Party affiliation ($25 to Act Blue).
- Description of suspect’s arrest and armament: “DC police Chief Jeffrey Carroll said the suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives…”
[02:56] Federal charges filed; further charges expected.

4. President Trump Reacts

[01:53 & 03:42] President Trump’s initial reaction on hearing the shots and later, his message at the subsequent press conference.
- President Donald Trump ([01:53]): “I heard a noise and sort of thought it was a tray…But it was a gun and he was taken down by some very brave members of Secret Service and they acted very quickly.”
- President Donald Trump ([03:42]): “This was an event dedicated to freedom of speech that was supposed to bring together members of both parties with members of the press. And in a certain way it did.”
- President Donald Trump ([04:15]): “It’s a dangerous profession, but I don’t view it that way. Look, I’m here to do a job… I love the country and I’m very proud.”
[01:53] President emphasizes the speed and bravery of Secret Service.

5. Law Enforcement Perspective

[03:57] FBI Director Cash Patel addresses ongoing investigation.
- FBI Director Cash Patel: “We will be examining this individual's background thoroughly. That process has already started and we are going to ensure that he was either a lone wolf actor or anyone else that was responsible. We will analyze all evidence immediately to make sure that we safeguard this country.”

6. Context and Aftermath

[04:24] Event called off for the evening, to be rescheduled within 30 days.
[04:24] Mention of historic significance: Washington Hilton was also the site of President Ronald Reagan's shooting in 1981.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |---------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [00:33] | John Bickley | “President Trump was rushed off stage tonight after shots were fired at the White House Correspondents Dinner.” | | [00:38] | Daily Wire Staff Member | “Complete chaos here, a lot of fear inside the room…We were sitting…the table right by the doorway where we heard the gunshots.” | | [00:58] | Security Analyst | "It sounded to me like it was defensive shooting…someone has come into the building and Secret Service has reacted." | | [01:53] | President Donald Trump | “I heard a noise and sort of thought it was a tray…But it was a gun and he was taken down by some very brave members of Secret Service…” | | [03:42] | President Donald Trump | “This was an event dedicated to freedom of speech…supposed to bring together members of both parties with members of the press…” | | [03:57] | FBI Director Cash Patel | “We will be examining this individual's background thoroughly…We will analyze all evidence immediately to make sure that we safeguard this country.” | | [04:15] | President Donald Trump | “It’s a dangerous profession, but I don’t view it that way… I love the country and I’m very proud.” |

Segment Timestamps

00:33 – Breaking news report, shots fired at the dinner
00:51 – Secret Service response and President's evacuation
01:11–01:53 – Eyewitness accounts, early info on the shooter, President's reaction
02:10–03:10 – Suspect identification and background, law enforcement details
03:42–04:15 – Press conference and official responses (President Trump, FBI Director)
04:24 – Event cancellation and context (historical recap)

Final Notes

This episode captures the tense, chaotic scene and next steps following the shooting at a major political event, highlighting immediate responses from the Secret Service, firsthand accounts from within the ballroom, and quick statements from both President Trump and federal officials. Updates are promised as the story develops.

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Transcript18 lines

[00:00]
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[00:27]
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[00:33]
John Bickley
President Trump was rushed off stage tonight after shots were fired at the White House Correspondents Dinner.
[00:39]
Daily Wire Staff Member
Complete chaos here, a lot of fear inside the room. I'll just tell you where we were. We were sitting the Daily Wire and our friends at a table right by the doorway where we heard the gunshots.
[00:52]
John Bickley
The President was evacuated unharmed. A Secret Service agent was reportedly shot, but his protective vest caught the bullet.
[00:59]
Security Analyst
It sounded to me that the shooting was outside the immediately it sounded to me like it was defensive shooting, that it wasn't an out of control shooting. So I immediately thought, okay, someone has come into the building and Secret Service has reacted.
[01:12]
John Bickley
A shooter has been apprehended and identified. And with authorities working to investigate, President Trump gave a press conference minutes after the incident.
[01:21]
President Donald Trump
My impression is he was a lone wolf whack job. These are crazy people. These are crazy people and they have to be dealt with.
[01:29]
John Bickley
I'm Daily Wire Executive Editor John Bickley. It's Saturday, April 25th. This is a breaking news edition of Morning Wire. With the night just getting underway and while President Trump was sitting at the table on stage with First Lady Melania Trump and Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, popping sounds were heard in the ballroom. The Trumps were cleared quickly from the table while some people sitting at the dinner ducked under their chairs.
[01:53]
President Donald Trump
I heard a noise and sort of thought it was a tray. I thought it was a tray going down. You know, I've heard that many times and it was pretty loud noise and it was from quite far away. But it was a gun and he was taken down by some very brave members of Secret Service and they acted very quickly.
[02:11]
John Bickley
The shooting took place at a security checkpoint outside the ballroom. One Secret Service agent was shot, but thankfully protected by his bulletproof vest. DC's Mayor Muriel Bowser said both the suspect and a Secret Service officer were transported to a local hospital. The shooter was quickly apprehended and he's now been identified as Cole Allen, a 31 year old man from Torrance, California. The President posted an image of the suspect on Truth Social, as well as video of him running through a security checkpoint. Images show the suspect lying shirtless on the ground with his hands restrained behind his back, according to his LinkedIn page. Allen is currently a part time teacher at C2 Education, that's a nationwide tutoring and college preparatory organization. He earned a bachelor's and master's degrees in California. He also appears to have been a Democrat donor. Federal Election Commission data reviewed by the Daily Wire seems to show the suspect in 2024 donating $25 to Act Blue. That's the Democratic Party's major donation platform. D.C. police Chief Jeffrey Carroll said the suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives. He said he appears to have been a lone actor who poses no threat to the public at this time. He's been charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. U.S. attorney Jeanine Pirro announced the charges Saturday night, saying many more charges will follow. He'll be arraigned Monday in a district court. When the dust settled. The president addressed the incident from the White House podium Saturday night.
[03:42]
President Donald Trump
This was an event dedicated to freedom of speech that was supposed to bring together members of both parties with members of the press. And in a certain way it did.
[03:54]
John Bickley
FBI Director Cash Patel joined the president on stage.
[03:57]
FBI Director Cash Patel
We will be examining this individual's background thoroughly. That process has already started and we are going to ensure that he was either a lone wolf actor or anyone else that was responsible. We will analyze all evidence immediately to make sure that we safeguard this country.
[04:12]
John Bickley
Trump also addressed the recurring attempts on his life since taking the job.
[04:16]
President Donald Trump
It's a dangerous profession, but I don't view it that way. Look, I'm here to do a job as part of the job, but I love the country and I'm very proud.
[04:24]
John Bickley
The White House Correspondent's Dinner was called off for the evening, but Trump said the event would be rescheduled, likely within the next 30 days or so. The Washington Hilton, where the dinner was set to take place, is where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. This is a developing story. Check Daily Wire for updates. We'll be back with much more on this incident and the fallout on Monday morning. This has been a breaking news edition of Morning Wire.