The News Craving
The News Craving
US President Donald Trump on Sunday angrily confronted a CBS reporter after portions of the alleged manifesto of suspected gunman Cole Tomas Allen were read out during an interview following the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting scare in Washington.
Speaking to Norah O’Donnell on 60 Minutes, Trump reacted sharply when the reporter quoted a line from the alleged manifesto that appeared to link the suspect’s motive to controversy surrounding the Epstein files.
“I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,” O’Donnell read aloud.
Trump immediately lashed out, saying: “I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would, because you’re horrible people. Horrible people. Yeah, he did write that. I’m not a rapist. I didn’t rape anybody.”
When asked whether he believed the suspect was referring to him, Trump did not directly answer.
The outburst came as investigators examined anti-Trump sentiment as a possible motive behind the gunman who allegedly tried to breach the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where Trump and senior administration officials were present.
Authorities identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California. He was arrested after allegedly opening fire near a security checkpoint inside the Washington Hilton hotel, where the event was being held.
Allen is expected to appear in federal court on Monday and faces charges including assaulting a federal officer, discharging a firearm and attempting to kill a federal officer. Officials said additional charges, including attempted assassination, could be considered as the investigation continues.