WHCA dinner gunman pleads not guilty to attempted Trump assassination charges

Published May 11, 2026 10:25am ET | Updated May 11, 2026 10:25am ET



The California man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump during last month’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner pleaded not guilty Monday to four federal charges during an arraignment in Washington federal court.

Cole Allen, 31, appeared Monday morning before U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden for a formal arraignment and status hearing connected to the April 25 shooting at the Washington Hilton, where top Trump administration officials, journalists, and political figures had gathered for the annual dinner.

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