Former President Barack Obama sparked an online backlash over the weekend after his X post discussing the “motive” of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooter went viral.
“While we do not have the full details of the motive for last night’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, we all have a responsibility to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy,” Obama said. Posted in X On Sunday evening, nearly 24 hours after President Trump and top officials left the Washington Hilton Hotel, a man attacked security at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
“It’s also a reminder of the courage and sacrifice that U.S. Secret Service agents show every day. I’m thankful for them — and thankful that the agent who was shot is going to be OK.”
Obama’s post has been viewed nearly 52 million times and sparked outrage from conservatives, who pointed to a manifesto left by the shooter and other details of the attack that they say were intended to harm Trump and his cabinet.
Whcd shooting suspect planned to target Trump officials, affidavit reveals
Former President Barack Obama is under fire for suggesting that “we don’t have details about a motive” for alleged shooter Cole Allen (left) at a White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
(Getty Images)
“Let’s not pretend to be ignorant of this motive, @BarackObama,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin Posted in X. “The attempted assassin held out an anti-Trump manifesto about wanting to kill Trump administration officials, before attempting to attack a ballroom filled with the president, VP, cabinet and many others from his administration.”
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Former FBI Co-Deputy Director Dan Bongino gave a simple answer“Are you kidding?”
“There’s a manifesto, and that’s why you’re the problem,” Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Ariz., Posted in X.
“Oh come on,” responded Tricia McLaughlin, former press secretary for the Department of Homeland Security. “There is no ambiguity. This was a politically motivated attack fueled by anti-Trump and anti-Christian bile. It is wrong to minimize or obscure this clear motive.”
Journalist Emma-Jo Morris Posted in X, “It’s crazy how irrelevant Obama has become. Reduced to just bluesky-tear cops and posting meaningless clichés, ‘in charge of everything’ etc.”
White House Correspondents’ Dinner Suspect Checked into Hilton Hotel Day Before Shooting: Sources
Agents stand guard outside the Washington Hilton Hotel following a shooting during the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump and other officials were evacuated after reports of the shooting.
Republican National Committee commented“You are so sick! Law enforcement officials confirmed that this radical leftist targeted President Trump and his administration last night. Why are you lying?”
Popular freelance journalist Nick Shirley joined in, urging Obama to “call it for what it is.”
“Wdym by ‘though’? It is clear what was intended,” wrote Shirley.
Tim Young, a media fellow at the Heritage Foundation, took a similar line, telling the former president, “Don’t pretend you don’t know.”
“The details came out early this morning and it was clear he was a leftist trying to harm as many people in Trump’s cabinet as possible,” Young wrote.
Who is Cole Allen? A California man has been named as a suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting
Media and onlookers gather in front of a home linked to Cole Thomas Allen, the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, on April 25, 2026, in Torrance, California.
“Agree to condemn political violence, but you know what his intentions were,” “The Charlie Kirk Show” executive producer Andrew Colvette Posted in X.
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“This is a lie – the gunman’s manifesto was published six hours ago,” political commentator Batya Ungar-Sargon posted on X. “But it’s also an admission — it’s an admission that this objective is damaging to President Obama, so it’s necessary to lie.”
Authorities have identified California resident Cole Allen, 31, as the suspect in the alleged shooting at an annual event attended by Trump and senior administration officials. Federal the law Law enforcement officials confirmed to Fox News Digital that after Allen’s arrest, he intended to target Trump administration officials and prepared a manifesto detailing his intentions, as well as sharing anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric on social media.
US Attorney for District of Columbia Janine Pirro told reporters at a news conference after the shooting that Allen is charged with two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. Piro also said there will be additional charges.
Fox News Digital reached out to Obama’s office for comment.
Original article source: Obama sets internet on fire with ‘sick’ reaction to WHCD shooter’s ‘motive’
