Geraldo Rivera stunned longtime liberal fans by throwing his support behind President Donald Trump’s push to build a new White House ballroom, arguing the latest assassination scare proved the annual Washington Hilton event is a security nightmare.
In a commentary headlined Build the Ballroom, Rivera praised Trump’s composure after what he called a third failed attempt on the president’s life Saturday night during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a televised incident that ended with the president and attendees evacuated.
“Trump deserves a Purple Heart for being wounded in action. A third would-be assassin attempted but failed to kill him Saturday night,” Rivera wrote. “Thankfully this time neither the President nor any of the attendees was hurt.”
Rivera said Trump tried to keep the evening moving once it was clear he was safe.
“Trump wanted to show to go on because he has balls. He, the first lady, and everyone else is safe. Someone is in custody. Trump wanted the show to go on because he doesn’t want the bad guys to win.”
Rivera wrote that the suspect was “shortly identified as Cole Allen, a 31-year-old California teacher,” and claimed Allen sent his family a manifesto minutes before the attack.
Rivera also injected a political note, saying he was relieved the suspect was not from groups he said activists have targeted.
“Fuck the assailant. Still, unnerving that a punk managed to penetrate our formidable security apparatus. Questions to answer, but thankfully all are safe.”
The veteran TV personality leaned on personal history to set the scene, describing the WHCA dinner as the “Nerd Prom” and recalling past tables with big-name guests and power players.
Build the Ballroom
Trump deserves a Purple Heart for being wounded in action. A third would-be assassin attempted but failed to kill him Saturday night. As you know the deeply troubling event happened on live television. Thankfully this time neither the President nor any of the…— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) April 27, 2026
Wife Erica and I have attended at least a half dozen of these grand events. Playfully called The Nerd Prom, the White House Correspondents Dinner gives journalists and celebrity guests a chance to mingle with presidents and potentates. I have had the honor of dining with Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, rocker Jon Bon Jovi and Astronaut Buzz Aldrin among others.
Rivera also referenced the 2011 dinner, when Obama famously mocked Trump during the birther-era clash.
We were there in 2011 when my old pal Donald Trump was cruelly ridiculed by Barak Obama for his then just announced presidential ambitions.
Rivera singled out CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer for staying on air amid the chaos.
“CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer shaken but still coolly reporting the extraordinary peril the president and cabinet survived unscathed. A shooter inside one of the most secure areas on earth. It is a stunning event.”
But Rivera’s main point was the same one Trump has been making for months: the Hilton ballroom is too big, too old and too hard to secure, especially when nearly the entire federal leadership is packed into one room.
Rivera said the night forced him to think about the consequences if the shooter had succeeded.
Virtually the entire Cabinet was present, and it was deeply disturbing to ponder the possible loss of everyone from the President and First Lady to Vice President J.D. Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
He argued that’s why Trump’s plan for a monumental White House ballroom matters, even as it’s tied up in court.
“Build the ballroom. I felt I was watching Designated Survivor. Virtually the entire line of presidential succession was in that lame Hilton space. Way too freaky dangerous. Build the Ballroom.”
Build the Ballroom.
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