US President Donald Trump reacted strongly to the manifesto in an interview with CBS alleged shooter during the press gala in Washington. In the document, 31-year-old suspect Cole Tomas Allen called him a “pedophile, rapist and traitor.” He reacted irritated when the journalist quoted from it.
Trump became aware during the interview 60 Minutes asked about the manifesto that the alleged shooter wrote shortly before his act to family members and the president. In it, Allen wrote, among other things, that “government officials are targets” and accused the president of being one ‘pedophile, rapist and traitor’.
CBS journalist Norah O’Donnell quoted from that document. Trump reacted visibly irritated to the reading of those passages. “I knew you were going to read that, because you are terrible people,” he sneered at the journalist. “Yes, he wrote that. But I am not a rapist. I didn’t rape anyone.”
When O’Donnell asked if Trump thought the perpetrator was referring to him, the president interrupted her again. “I am not a pedophile. Excuse me. Are you reading that nonsense from a sick person? I am associated with all kinds of things that have nothing to do with me. I am completely exonerated. You should be ashamed of yourself for reading that here.”
The journalist emphasized that it was about the shooter’s words, but Trump stuck to his criticism. “You wouldn’t eat this 60 Minutes have to read aloud. It’s a shame.”
Pretty incompetent
Security around the dinner was also discussed. In his manifesto, the suspect had written that he was surprised at how little security he said he found in the hotel. Trump responded mockingly: “He was quite incompetent himself, because he was quickly caught.”
According to the president, the security services ultimately have ‘did a good job. He also linked the suspect’s motives to anti-Trump movements such as the ‘No Kings’ protests. “I am not a king. If I were a king, I would not be sitting here with you,” he said at the end of the interview.
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