Washington Hilton attacker shows in a jacket with the IDF logo
Accounts on social media said that "the shooter during the ceremony attended by US President Donald Trump yesterday posted earlier on his account in "X" a photo of himself in a jacket with the symbol of the Israeli army.
A photo of the suspect, Cal Allen, wearing a jacket with the logo of the Israeli Defense Forces, circulated on social media.
Accounts on the "X" platform reported that the photo was posted on the personal page of shooter Cole Allen and his account was already deleted at the same time, while some users suggested that the frame was created by artificial intelligence.
The shooter is known to have donated to the presidential campaign of Democratic candidate Donald Trump in the previous presidential election, Kamala Harris.
Earlier, CBS quoted its sources as saying that the shooter during the dinner attended by US President Donald Trump reported that he "targeted Trump administration officials."
Investigations: The attack was directed at Trump
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed on Sunday, April 26, 2026, that preliminary investigations into the shooting incident during a White House correspondents' dinner indicate that the attack was "directly directed" at President Donald Trump and a number of senior officials.
Blanche said the suspect faces two counts of possession of a weapon and assault, with additional indictments expected in the coming period, and security agencies, including the FBI, are examining the seized weapons — a shotgun and a handgun — as well as questioning witnesses.
According to available information, the suspect was a guest at the hotel where the incident took place and was arrested in preparation for being transferred to court, while the authorities continue to investigate to determine the motives. The president and officials were evacuated from the venue immediately after the attack as a precautionary measure.
White House spokeswoman predicts attack ahead of ceremony
A clip of a television interview with White House spokeswoman Carolyn Levitt before the ceremony was widely circulated on social media in the United States, talking about a shooting during the ceremony.
"Everybody has to watch what's going to happen tonight because Trump is going to bring heat and there's going to be a 'shooting,'" Levitt said.
Trump promotes a White House ballroom
U.S. President Donald Trump has used the security breach at the Washington Hilton to promote the ballroom he is building at the White House, saying it will "provide a safer location for future events."
"It's not a safe building in the literal sense, and I didn't want to say that, but that's why we need to provide all the benefits of what we have planned in the White House," Trump said during his press conference after the incident, speaking of the hall he was touting.
"It's actually a much bigger hall, much safer. It's resistant to drones, and its glass is bulletproof. We need a ballroom. That's why the Secret Service and the army are demanding it."
Trump has previously said the 90,000-square-foot ballroom, which is being built on top of the former East Wing, has a number of security features. He said the addition was necessary to host major official events.
"They have wanted the ballroom for 150 years for many different reasons, but today the situation is a little different, because now we need levels of security that no one has ever seen before," he said.
About two weeks ago, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals allowed construction on the new White House ballroom to continue, in accordance with Trump's wishes. It also ruled to reconsider the security implications of the decision to halt the $400 million project.