Representative Dan Goldman of New York blamed President Donald Trump for the third assassination attempt on his life, which occurred at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday. The Democratic congressman claimed Trump’s own rhetoric is responsible for the violence targeting him, despite all three attempts being carried out by individuals with clear Democratic affiliations.

Representative Dan Goldman claimed that, "we know what Donald Trump's rhetoric leads to" in reaction to the attempted assassination at the WHCD.

"We know what Donald Trump's rhetoric leads to."

Does @RepDanGoldman not know that Cole Allen's social media presence has been… https://t.co/x8swPcMbrd pic.twitter.com/SevMKxq1bO

— Media Lies (@MediasLies) April 28, 2026

Third Attempt at Correspondents’ Dinner

Cole Allen arrived armed at the Washington Hilton on Saturday with the intention of targeting Trump and his administration officials. The attacker nearly breached the ballroom where the president was attending the annual dinner but tripped before entering the venue. Federal agents apprehended Allen, who admitted his intentions to target Trump officials. His manifesto explicitly identified the president as his primary target.

Goldman, who serves as one of the Democratic Party’s most vocal critics of the president, appeared on television to defend his position. The congressman argued that Trump’s political messaging bears responsibility for inspiring violence against him. Goldman’s appearance continued his pattern of serving as a party attack dog, though critics question the effectiveness of his media strategy and talking points.

Pattern of Political Violence

The incident marks the third assassination attempt against President Trump. All three attackers have demonstrated connections to Democratic Party ideology and rhetoric. The previous two attempts occurred under different circumstances, but investigators found similar political motivations in each case. Federal law enforcement officials continue investigating whether coordinated messaging from political figures contributed to radicalizing the attackers.

Accountability and Rhetoric

Republican critics argue that Democratic Party messaging bears responsibility for inspiring violence against conservative leaders. They point to years of statements characterizing Trump as an existential threat to democracy and calling for maximum resistance. Goldman and other Democratic representatives reject this characterization, insisting Trump’s own words create the dangerous environment. The debate over political rhetoric and violence continues as investigators examine Allen’s background and motivations for the latest assassination attempt.