Trump Dismisses Staged-Event Conspiracy Theories With Sarcastic Comparison to Historical Denialism

The 79-year-old president tackled questions about the authenticity of the weekend's attack during a televised sit-down with CBS News on Sunday, April 26.

Trump appeared on 60 Minutes to discuss the attempted shooting that occurred the previous day at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, held at the Washington Hilton. During his conversation with anchor Norah O'Donnell, he fielded inquiries about the delayed evacuation compared to the vice president's exit from the ballroom, as well as emerging conspiracy theories suggesting the incident was fabricated.

"I hesitate to ask you about this but as you know, these conspiracy theories out there on the left and the right that– that the event was staged or that it didn't happen," O'Donnell said, according to an official transcript.

Trump responded with visible incredulity, questioning whether people were claiming "last night didn't happen."

O'Donnell elaborated on the theories circulating, noting they referenced it being his first attendance or drawing parallels to the 2024 Butler, Pennsylvania incident. Trump then delivered a pointed retort laden with sarcasm.

"Wow, I know. And October the 7th didn't happen, and World War II didn't happen, and the Holocaust didn't happen, and many things didn't happen. Yeah, no, I hear it. I don't know. I think they're more sick than they are con people, but there's a lot of con in it too. I haven't heard that last night didn't happen. Well, usually it takes a little bit longer. Usually they wait about two or three months to start saying that," he said.

The president emphasized that such claims would be "a tough sell," with O'Donnell agreeing.

Trump also addressed why he has faced multiple assassination attempts, referencing the 2024 shooting in Butler where he sustained an ear wound. He attributed the pattern to his status as a consequential leader.

"Because of the position I'm in, I've done quite a bit of research into the word 'assassination.' Terrible word. And they go after consequential presidents. They go after… presidents that do things," Trump explained.

He highlighted his administration's accomplishments, citing the country's economic performance and foreign policy achievements, including a conflict with Venezuela that he characterized as decisive and ultimately beneficial. He also referenced ongoing military operations in Iran and noted that previous administrations should have pursued similar actions.

Trump drew parallels to historical precedent, invoking the assassinations of Presidents Abraham Lincoln and William McKinley—the latter of whom, he noted, enriched the nation economically. He also mentioned Theodore Roosevelt, whom he described as consequential despite being an assassination target himself.

"When you're a consequential… when you do things, a lotta things, and things that work out very well for our country… Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. McKinley was assassinated. McKinley made the country very rich. People don't realize that. Then Teddy Roosevelt went out and spent the money that was made by McKinley, but he was very consequential, actually, but he was assassinated," Trump said.