# Companion Thread to Shots Fired at White House Correspondents' Dinner **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [April 26, 2026, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559 "2026-04-26T02:03:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/141 "2026-04-27T23:10:09Z")
Heck, a populist Democratic President might just take a page from Trump’s playbook and pardon the guy as soon as he takes office. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/142 "2026-04-28T00:23:18Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > Stands to reason this guy, provided he lives long enough, would eventually be free too. Back in the day, a sentence of life without parole was rare. Now it is much more common that, in the U.S., life means life. Some stats are in here: > **[America’s Enduring Reliance on Life Imprisonment – The Sentencing Project](https://www.sentencingproject.org/reports/no-end-in-sight-americas-enduring-reliance-on-life-sentences/)** > > In the United States, more than 200,000 people are serving life sentences – one out of every seven in prison. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/143 "2026-04-28T01:01:09Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > Oddly, the 17 attempts listed do not include the attempted assassination in Butler PA in 2024 which IMO, stands apart from all the rest. Because that wasn’t a presidential assassination attempt. It was a former-presidential assassination attempt, or a presidential-candidate assasination attempt, but he wasn’t President at the time. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/144 "2026-04-28T01:14:04Z")
Of course. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/145 "2026-04-28T02:46:11Z")
Actor Ben Stiller tweeted the words “Got it done” on Twitter in response to his Knicks tying their NBA Playoffs series 2-2. Unfortunately, the tweet came 20 minutes after the incident at the WHCD, and MAGA went nuts thinking he was admitting his involvement. > **[Ben Stiller faces backlash for post after Trump shooting attempt](https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15768021/Ben-Stiller-faces-huge-backlash-Got-post-Trump-shooting-attempt-despite-real-reason-message.html)** > > Ben Stiller is facing huge backlash online for posting a poorly timed tweet shortly after a gunman stormed Saturday's White House Correspondents' Dinner. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/146 "2026-04-28T02:51:38Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > Actor Ben Stiller tweeted the words “Got it done” on Twitter in response to his Knicks tying their NBA Playoffs series 2-2. > > Unfortunately, the tweet came 20 minutes after the incident at the WHCD, and MAGA went nuts Morons. It doesn’t even make sense (no surprise) since nothing “got done” at the WHCD, except for stopping the guy. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/147 "2026-04-28T03:55:42Z")
I’m not surprised by anything these morons distort for recreational outrage. Poor Ben Stiller. Now the Trumps are calling for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired for a joke he made 3 days prior to the WHCD where he said Melania looks like an expectant widow. They are trying to spin that comment as a call to violence. Idiots. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/148 "2026-04-28T05:04:51Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > where he said Melania looks like an expectant widow. SNL often makes jokes about her expectant widowhood (as do lots of comedians). And I remember when trump himself made a stupid crack about a widow being happier now that her husband was gone. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/149 "2026-04-28T05:10:34Z")
Another example of faux outrage just looking for a target. A bit like Jimmy Kimmel making a joke about Trump’s age and health by referring to Melania as an expectant widow, _three days before the dinner_. And to be fair, it’s also pretty stupid to make a big deal out of Karolyin’ Leavitt and her “shots fired” comment. In both examples it’s nonsensical. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/150 "2026-04-28T11:09:43Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > Actor Ben Stiller tweeted the words “Got it done” on Twitter in response to his Knicks tying their NBA Playoffs series 2-2. > > Unfortunately, the tweet came 20 minutes after the incident at the WHCD, and MAGA went nuts thinking he was admitting his involvement. William of Ockham wept. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/151 "2026-04-28T13:28:28Z")
What’s next, kicking him off an airplane because he said “bomb”? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/152 "2026-04-28T16:23:48Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > And I remember when trump himself made a stupid crack about a widow being happier now that her husband was gone. Here we go: [https://people.com/donald-trump-reportedly-made-marriage-joke-about-widow-from-assassination-attempt-8724325](https://people.com/donald-trump-reportedly-made-marriage-joke-about-widow-from-assassination-attempt-8724325) > Donald Trump made a marriage joke about the widow of the man who died during his July attempted assassination in Pennsylvania, he revealed during a private fundraiser with donors in August. > > Recalling a meeting with Corey Comperatore’s widow, Trump told donors at the Aug. 10 dinner that he told her she would “get millions of dollars” in the wake of the July 13 shooting, according to a 12-minute audio recording of the event obtained by [_The Guardian_](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/04/trump-fundraiser-recording). > > "But the woman, the wife, this beautiful woman, I handed her the check – we handed her the check – and she said, ‘This is so nice, and I appreciate it, but I’d much rather have my husband.’ Now, I know some of the women in this room wouldn’t say the same,” Trump, 78, joked, per the outlet. > > The audience then reportedly erupted with laughter as Trump said, “I know at least four couples. There are four couples, [Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott], that I know and you’re not one of them. At least four couples here would have been thrilled, actually.” ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/153 "2026-04-28T20:11:24Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > Another example of faux outrage just looking for a target. A bit like Jimmy Kimmel making a joke about Trump’s age and health by referring to Melania as an expectant widow, _three days before the dinner_. Note that NONE of that outrage showed up when Kimmel made the joke, or for three days after. If what he said was so vicious and violence-provoking, you’d think that at least a _ **few** _ right-wing figures would have noted it… > [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I don’t think this guy is an administration plant. I think he legitimately acted on his own. However, I do wonder if the admin made sure he wasn’t stopped until he got into the hotel with a gun. Like, there was intel this guy was gonna hit the WHCD, but wasn’t gonna be a serious threat to anyone important, so why not just let him get in I don’t see how that kind of thing can’t be ruled out----the Trump Regime people know how well their guy’s ratings fare when he’s perceived as the _Noble Courageous Victim of Insane Lefty Demons_. Prior to January 20, 2025, the FBI no doubt had tabs on hundreds (at least) of well-armed hotheads, nation-wide. Even after the Regime’s notorious firings-of-the-competent, those records likely remain accessible to the Trump-worshipping successors to the competent people who left. Those records are gold for anyone wanting some ‘action’ to grab the public’s attention. There are plenty of people who don’t need to be manipulated into creating headlines; all they need is for the path to be smoothed for them, just a little here and a little there. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/154 "2026-04-28T20:20:31Z")
And quite coincidental that Republicans jumped en masse to the “Must have ballroom now!” I’m not a conspiracy dude, but I’ve also never believed Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/155 "2026-04-28T20:29:24Z")
It now appears that the FBI cannot say for certain where the round that struck a federal security agent’s ballistic vest came from. Originally it was reported to have been a round from Allen (the captured attempted assassin – alleged) but now they aren’t sure, it might have been from another agent. This is being reported by MS NOW, and possibly other sources. It puzzled me why the charges filed did not include shooting (or shooting at) a federal officer, or however such a charge would be worded. I guess this uncertainty explains the lack of a charge. They should know if Allen’s handgun had been discharged; if it hadn’t, what else is there but friendly fire? Without that charge, the prosecution is going to have to prove that the President was a likely target, in order to get a meaningfully long sentence; otherwise all they have is a couple of firearm violations. If they want to use Allen’s manifesto as evidence, it doesn’t mention the President or any other individual, it only mentions pedophiles and rapists (I hope I understand that correctly). That seems to put the prosecution and the President in a bit of a cleft stick. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/156 "2026-04-28T20:36:49Z")
In the lead up to CNN’s coverage of the dinner on Saturday, CNN noted that the dinner was sold out and no seats were available. That’s in a ballroom with capacity of about 2,600 people. The proposed White House ballroom would have capacity of no more than a thousand people. So even if it existed today and it was the venue for this event, it would have meant a serious cut in attendance. And given that this is a big fundraising event, much less scholarship money would be available. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/157 "2026-04-28T22:00:10Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > It now appears that the FBI cannot say for certain where the round that struck a federal security agent’s ballistic vest came from. Originally it was reported to have been a round from Allen (the captured attempted assassin – alleged) but now they aren’t sure, it might have been from another agent. This is being reported by MS NOW, and possibly other sources. I raised this question yesterday. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Sorry if I’m not keeping up, but are we sure who fired the shots? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/158 "2026-04-28T23:42:33Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > it doesn’t mention the President or any other individual, it only mentions pedophiles and rapists (I hope I understand that correctly). It mentioned Patel, of all people. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/159 "2026-04-29T02:39:57Z")
I hope the part about “rapists and pedophiles” gets brought up a lot. Just like Nora O. said to donnie, “you think they’re talking about you?” I mean, I don’t believe his name was actually mentioned, so how can it be said he was coming to assassinate the president, since per his (donnie’s) own words “I’m not a rapist or a pedophile”? ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559/160 "2026-04-29T05:17:21Z")
Josh Marshall, gifted: [https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/trumps-motte-and-bailey-presidency/sharetoken/e8570bf4-a5b5-4c91-95b7-37324d88bdd1](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/trumps-motte-and-bailey-presidency/sharetoken/e8570bf4-a5b5-4c91-95b7-37324d88bdd1) > despite the chorus of claims, this was not in any sense a security failure. It was a success. A man rushed a security perimeter inside the Washington Hilton — far from the actual festivities and protectees — and he was stopped. Initial reports suggested the gunman was stopped just before or even while entering the ballroom. Neither is true. He was on a different floor. The point of Secret Service security is not to prevent every violent incident [but any that endanger the President](https://www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/a-quick-analysis-of-last-night-s-shooting) or other protectees. Agreed. The Secret Service did it’s job on this one, whatever attendees of the event might say (looking at you Daily Beast). If they are uncomfortable with their _personal_ security during the event, they should take it up with Hilton management or better yet reconsider their career choices. As for the glittering ballroom advocated by US conservatives: > These are, of course, all ex-post-facto rationales to justify Trump’s new toy. But it’s edifying to consider the new rationale at face value. Because disingenuousness aside, it’s part of a clear trend: the slow building of a sort of motte-and-bailey presidency, the at-first crude fortifications evolving into castles which the invading Normans used to overawe and pacify the conquered English. At least six top Trump administration officials now do or did live on military bases purportedly for their security… Noem…Hegseth, Rubio… Bondi… Stephen Miller… These grandees aren’t on military bases to protect them from violence. They’re there to protect themselves from annoyance, from the raucousness of civilian, democratic life, which can definitely be annoying… Trump doesn’t want to be President: that job involves building working coalitions. He wants to just issue edicts: he wants to be king. And the same can be said for his conservative supporters. They don’t like civic democracy: they prefer pageantry and other trappings of monarchy in all but name. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companion-thread-to-shots-fired-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner/1029559.md?page=7)