Content Advisory: This article discusses a shooting, an alleged assassination attempt, and disturbing claims involving sexual assault and pedophilia from a manifesto. Reader discretion is advised.
Donald Trump snapped at ‘60 Minutes’ host Norah O’Donnell after she read from the alleged manifesto tied to the man accused in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.
The tense exchange came less than 24 hours after gunfire broke out at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night. Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and members of the administration were rushed to a secure area while Secret Service detained the alleged shooter, 31-year-old Cole Allen.
Trump later sat down with O’Donnell for his first interview about what has been described as the third attempt on his life since the 2024 campaign.
The conversation covered security, Melania’s reaction, and the alleged gunman’s possible motive. Then O’Donnell quoted a line from the alleged manifesto, and Trump erupted.
O’Donnell Read The Alleged Manifesto To Trump
NBC News previously quoted the alleged manifesto, which a senior administration official said Allen had sent to family members shortly after the shooting. The ‘New York Post’ later published the document in full.
O’Donnell pointed Trump to one section in which Allen allegedly wrote, “I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.”
Trump immediately pushed back. “I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would, because you’re horrible people,” Trump said. “He did write that. I’m not a rapist, I didn’t rape anybody.”
O’Donnell noted that the line did not refer to Trump by name in that section. Trump cut in. “Excuse me. I’m not a pedophile,” he said. “You read that crap from some sick person. I get associated with stuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated.”
Trump Called Her ‘Disgraceful’
Trump continued attacking O’Donnell for reading the passage. “Your friends on the other side of the plate are the ones that were involved with, let’s say Epstein, or other things,” Trump said. He added, “I read the manifesto, you know. He’s a sick person. But you should be ashamed of yourself reading that, because I’m not any of those things.”
O’Donnell tried to clarify that she was quoting the alleged shooter’s words, not calling Trump those things herself. “Mr. President, these are the gunman’s words,” she said.
Trump still did not back off. “You shouldn’t be reading that on ‘60 Minutes,’” he said. “You’re a disgrace, but let’s go ahead and finish the interview… you’re disgraceful.”
Allen Is Expected In Federal Court
Allen is expected to be arraigned in federal court on Monday.
He has been charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
The shooting has also renewed attention on Trump’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein. Trump has acknowledged knowing Epstein in the past, but has repeatedly denied allegations of misconduct.
For O’Donnell, the question appeared to be about motive. For Trump, the wording of the alleged manifesto crossed a line.
The result was one of the most heated moments yet in the political fallout from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.
