Trump Denies Criminal Allegations During “60 Minutes” Interview Following White House Correspondents’ Dinner Attack

Former U.S. President Donald Trump explicitly denied serious allegations during a recent CBS News “60 Minutes” interview while discussing an assassination attempt that occurred at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

During the April 26, 2026, broadcast, Trump stated firmly, “I’m not a rapist” and “I’m not a pedophile” when responding to comments from his would-be assassin’s manifesto. The exchange has since gone viral across social media platforms including X, Reddit, and Instagram.

The statements came after “60 Minutes” correspondent Norah O’Donnell asked Trump about the contents of what officials described as a manifesto written by Cole Tomas Allen, the man accused of attempting to assassinate the former president during the dinner. According to an FBI affidavit filed in court, Allen had sent an email to family members and a former employer explaining his actions.

O’Donnell directly quoted from the document during the interview, reading Allen’s words: “I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.” Although Allen did not explicitly name Trump in this statement, Trump immediately interpreted the comments as directed at him.

“I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would because you’re — you’re — you’re horrible people. Horrible people,” Trump responded to O’Donnell. “Yeah, he did write that. I’m — I’m not a rapist. I didn’t rape anybody.”

When O’Donnell asked if Trump believed Allen was referring to him specifically, Trump continued his denial: “I’m not a pedophile. Excuse me. Excuse me. I’m not a pedophile. You read that crap from some sick person?”

The former president appeared visibly agitated during this portion of the interview, accusing the correspondent of impropriety for reading the manifesto excerpt on air. “You should be ashamed of yourself reading that because I’m not any of those things,” Trump told O’Donnell. “You shouldn’t be reading that on ’60 Minutes.’ You’re a disgrace. But go ahead. Let’s finish the interview.”

The exchange highlighted the tension surrounding the assassination attempt, which has dominated headlines since the incident at the White House Correspondents’ dinner. Law enforcement officials quickly apprehended Allen after shots were fired as he attempted to charge toward the ballroom where the event was being held. Trump was unharmed in the incident.

Security protocols at high-profile political events have come under renewed scrutiny following the attack. The FBI has been investigating Allen’s background and potential motives, with the manifesto becoming a central piece of evidence in understanding the suspect’s mindset before the attempted assassination.

During the same interview, Trump also referenced his past association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, claiming “I was totally exonerated” and suggesting that his political opponents were the ones with closer ties to Epstein. This reference appeared to be an attempt to deflect from the allegations in Allen’s manifesto.

The full “60 Minutes” interview was subsequently uploaded to YouTube by CBS News, allowing viewers to see the complete exchange in context. CBS News also published a transcript of the entire interview on its website.

The shooting at the White House Correspondents’ dinner, an annual event that traditionally brings together journalists, celebrities, and political figures, has reignited debates about political rhetoric and security measures for public officials. The FBI continues to investigate Allen’s background and possible motivations as the case moves through the legal system.