President Trump publicly called out ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl for fabricating a story claiming the president reached out to check on him following the third assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in late April.
The Disputed Account
Jonathan Karl of ABC News claimed on air that Trump called him early the morning after the assassination attempt to ask if he was okay. The claim appeared designed to portray the reporter as significant enough to warrant presidential concern during a crisis targeting Trump himself. Rapid Response 47 initially shared Karl’s statement, which quickly circulated across media platforms before Trump’s denial.
Trump Sets Record Straight
Trump took to social media to correct the narrative, stating he never called Karl. The president pointed out the absurdity of checking on a reporter after an attack meant to kill him, not the journalist. Trump revealed Karl actually called him twice—once immediately after the incident, which Trump ignored, and again later when Karl confirmed he had initiated the contact. Trump characterized Karl’s original claim as dishonest reporting intended to inflate the reporter’s perceived importance.
The Attack Details
Cole Allen faces charges for attempting to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in late April, targeting President Trump and top officials. This marked the third assassination attempt against Trump, raising serious questions about security protocols at major political events. The incident occurred during one of Washington’s most prominent annual gatherings, attended by journalists, politicians, and administration officials.
Pattern of Media Misreporting
Trump labeled the incident another example of what he calls “Fake News” from ABC, suggesting a pattern of media outlets crafting narratives that don’t align with facts. The president’s criticism focused on Karl’s attempt to position himself as central to the story rather than accurately reporting events. Karl’s confirmation that he called Trump—not the reverse—vindicates the president’s account and raises questions about editorial standards at major news networks when covering Trump-related stories.
