President Donald Trump stands out as the most targeted U.S. leader among all past and current presidents, faced with threats as frequently as every two to three months in recent years. Within the past two years alone, Trump has experienced three major assassination attempts along with almost a dozen other threat-related incidents. Since assuming office in 2017, nearly 20 known threats have been directed at him.
Compared to other U.S. presidents involved in assassination attempts, most faced a single attempt. Notable exceptions include President Gerald R. Ford, who survived two. Among these presidents are Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, Gerald R. Ford, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. Four of these presidents—Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, and Kennedy—lost their lives to these violent acts.
Recent Assassination Attempts on Trump
During Trump’s first term and subsequent campaigning efforts, he encountered seven threat-related incidents. In 2024, four additional threats occurred, two being assassination attempts. Another eight incidents, including a third attempt on his life, have occurred since the beginning of his second presidency.
July 2024: Butler, Pennsylvania Incident
A gunman opened fire from a rooftop during a campaign rally, tragically claiming the life of one spectator and critically harming two others. The assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks, injured Trump in the ear before being neutralized by a Secret Service sniper.
September 2024: Florida Golf Course Threat
Secret Service intercepted a gunman, Ryan Wesley Routh, near Trump’s golf course in Florida. Routh was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment.
April 2026: White House Correspondents’ Dinner Incident
A major security breach occurred when Cole Allen infiltrated the event armed with multiple weapons. Despite shooting an officer, Allen was apprehended.
Attempted Threats During First Presidential Campaign
March 2016: Dayton, Ohio Rally
A campaign rally attendee, Thomas DiMassimo, attempted to approach the stage. His intent was disruption rather than harm. Given his actions, DiMassimo was sentenced to one year of probation.
June 2016: Las Vegas Handgun Incident
British national Michael Steven Sandford tried to wrest a handgun from a police officer’s holster at a rally. He later admitted intending to harm Trump, leading to a prison term of 12 months and one day.
November 2016: Reno, Nevada Rally
An alarm during a rally led to a lockdown when someone shouted about a gun. Austyn Crites, believed to hold anti-Trump signage, was briefly detained; the rally resumed, concluding without further incident.
Threat-Related Incidents During First Term (2017-2021)
September 2017: North Dakota Forklift Incident
A man attempted to hijack a forklift to overturn Trump’s motorcade. Gregory Lee Leingang faced federal charges, resulting in a time-served sentence and monitored release.
October 2018: Ricin-laced Letters
Ricin-poisoned letters targeting Trump and officials were intercepted. William Clyde Allen III faced charges but was declared incompetent for trial proceedings.
August 2020 and September 2020: Ricin Threat
September 2020 saw Pascale Cecile Veronique Ferrier sending a ricin-laced letter to Trump, seized before delivery. Ferrier served over 21 years in prison post-sentence.
2024 Presidential Campaign Threats
July 2024: Pakistani Plot
A Pakistani national, Asif Merchant, faced charges of planning a murder-for-hire plot under Iran’s direction. Convicted in March 2026, this highlighted international threats targeting Trump.
November 2024: Iranian Plot Disclosure
An Iranian government agent, Farhad Shakeri, planned an assassination, killing of which was announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in March 2026.
Second Term (2025-present): Recent Threats
May 2025: Florida Correspondence
Christopher Davies, admitting intent to assassinate Trump, was sentenced to 27 months following threatening correspondence.
July 2025: Texas Social Media Threat
Robert Herrera was arrested for threatening Trump via social media and sentenced to two years.
August 2025: Georgia TikTok Threat
Jauan Rashun Porter faced over three years in prison after threatening Trump on TikTok.
Authorities disrupted a violent plot against a White House event, charging eight individuals with planning drone and firearm attacks.
April 2026: Violent Instagram Threats
Kadrioan Serainity Santiago received charges for Instagram threats advocating violence against Trump and law enforcement.
June 2026: Drone Plot Against White House UFC Event
A thwarted terrorism conspiracy targeted a White House event. Indictments were issued for eight conspirators planning a drone attack.
August 2026: California Fundraiser Security Breach
Jeanine John Taele, equipped with ammunition and firearms, was accused of recording security measures in preparation for an assassination attempt.