President Donald Trump has experienced an unparalleled number of threat-related incidents, making him the most targeted U.S. leader among both current and former presidents. In recent years, approximately every two to three months, he encounters a new threat.
Since taking office in 2017, nearly 20 known threats have been directed at Trump. Comparatively, past U.S. presidents targeted in assassination attempts typically faced only one, with the exception of President Gerald R. Ford, who survived two attempts. Notably, four presidents—Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, and Kennedy—were assassinated.
Incident Summary
Seven threat-related incidents were recorded during Trump’s first presidency. During his 2024 campaign, four more incidents happened, including two assassination attempts. His second term has already seen eight additional incidents, one of which was a major assassination attempt.
Major Assassination Attempts
July 2024: During a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, an attacker fired from a rooftop, fatally wounding one person while injuring two others. The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, also struck Trump in the upper right ear before being stopped by a Secret Service sniper.
September 2024: A gunman, Ryan Wesley Routh, was detected hiding near Trump’s golf course in Florida. He was apprehended and sentenced to life imprisonment.
April 2026: A breach at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner saw Cole Allen armed with multiple weapons. An altercation ensued, leading to his arrest after an officer was shot.
First Campaign Trail (2016)
Trump’s initial security challenges began during the 2016 campaign.
- March 2016: Thomas DiMassimo attempted to rush the stage at a rally in Ohio but was quickly detained. He received a probation sentence.
- June 2016: British national Michael Steven Sandford tried to seize a firearm at a Las Vegas rally, later admitting he intended to kill Trump. He was imprisoned for over a year.
- November 2016: During a Reno rally, a false alarm led to the detention of Austyn Crites, who had brought an anti-Trump sign.
First Presidency (2017-2021)
- September 2017: In North Dakota, Gregory Lee Leingang tried to overturn Trump’s limousine using a forklift, resulting in a sentence including time served.
- October 2018: William Clyde Allen III faced charges for sending ricin-laced letters to Trump, though he was found incompetent for trial.
- August 2020: Myron Basil Berryman threatened the White House, resulting in his arrest.
- September 2020: Pascale Cecile Veronique Ferrier sent a ricin-laced letter to Trump from Canada and received a lengthy prison sentence.
Second Campaign Trail
During the 2024 campaign, Trump encountered two assassination attempts and additional threats.
- July 2024: Prior to the Butler incident, Asif Merchant was implicated in a plot orchestrated by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. He was convicted in 2026.
- November 2024: Farhad Shakeri was linked to another Iranian plot but was killed during a U.S. military operation.
Second Presidency (2025-current)
His second presidency has been marked by continued threats.
- May 2025: Christopher Davies admitted to planning an assassination attempt through a letter; he was sentenced to federal prison.
- July 2025: Robert Herrera, Texas resident, faced prison time for threatening Trump on social media.
- August 2025: Jauan Rashun Porter from Georgia was arrested for similar threats online and also received a prison sentence.
- February 2026: In Palm Beach, Austin Tucker Martin breached the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago and was shot by law enforcement.
- April 2026: Kadrioan Serainity Santiago was arrested for posting violent threats online and faced federal prosecution.
- June 2026: Authorities uncovered a terrorism plot targeting a UFC event at the White House involving drone and gun attacks.
- August 2026: Jeanine John Taele was found observing security at a fundraiser with weapons, leading to her arrest.
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