White House says Washington shooting was third assassination attempt against Trump

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt has called the shooting at a Washington hotel on 25 April the third assassination attempt against US President Donald Trump.

Source: Leavitt at a press briefing, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Leavitt said the suspect had "travelled across the country to assassinate the president and as many administration officials as possible".

Quote: "This is the third major assassination attempt against President Trump in two years. No other president in history has faced such repeated serious attempts on his life."

Details: Leavitt also condemned the political violence she said is being fuelled by media outlets and members of the Democratic Party. She argued that aggressive rhetoric against Trump has legitimised violence and "helped bring us to this dark moment", referring to the 25 April shooting.

"This political violence stems from a systematic demonisation of him and his supporters by commentators – yes, by elected members of the Democrat Party, and even some in the media. This hateful and constant and violent rhetoric directed at President Trump day after day after day for 11 years has helped to legitimise this violence," she said.

The White House spokesperson also drew a comparison between suspect Cole Allen's manifesto, in which he clearly stated his intention to attack administration officials, and social media posts criticising Trump.

"When you read the manifesto of this shooter, ask yourselves: how different is the rhetoric from this almost-assassin than what you read on social media and hear in various forums every single day?" Leavitt asked.

Background:

• On the evening of 25 April, gunshots were heard during the White House Correspondents' Dinner at a Washington hotel where Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were in attendance. The presidential couple and senior officials were evacuated.
• Law enforcement officials said the attacker had been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old teacher from Torrance, California. He was arrested.
• In July 2024, an attempt was made on Trump's life during an election campaign rally. The assailant, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was taken down by security services.
• Another shooting near Trump's golf club in September 2024 has been described as a second attempt to assassinate him.

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