President Donald Trump is the most targeted U.S. leader in history, with numerous threat-related incidents occurring every two to three months. Trump has survived three major assassination attempts and nearly a dozen other such incidents in just the past two years. Since taking office in 2017, he has faced approximately 20 known threats.
In comparison, other U.S. presidents targeted in assassination attempts faced a single incident, except President Gerald R. Ford who survived two. Presidents such as Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and John F. Kennedy experienced assassination attempts, with four presidents—Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, and Kennedy—being killed.
During Trump’s first presidency, seven threat-related incidents occurred. His second presidency has already seen eight incidents, including another assassination attempt.
Major Assassination Attempts
In July 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a gunman opened fire from a rooftop, killing one spectator and wounding two others. The assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks, injured Trump before being killed by a Secret Service sniper.
In September 2024, security agents arrested Ryan Wesley Routh hiding with a rifle near Trump’s Florida golf course. Routh was later sentenced to life in prison.
In April 2026, Cole Allen breached security during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, shooting an officer before being taken into custody.
2016 Campaign Incidents
During Trump’s 2016 campaign, three significant incidents occurred. In March 2016, Thomas DiMassimo rushed the stage at a rally in Dayton, Ohio, and was later sentenced to probation. In June 2016, Michael Steven Sandford attempted to seize a police officer’s gun at a Las Vegas rally to harm Trump. He was sentenced to over a year in prison. In November 2016, an attendee caused alarm at a Reno rally, but no weapon was found.
First Presidency Threats
In September 2017, Gregory Lee Leingang stole a forklift and attempted to overturn Trump’s motorcade. He was sentenced to time served and supervised release.
In October 2018, William Clyde Allen III was charged with mailing ricin-laced letters to Trump. In August 2020, Myron Basil Berryman caused disruption at the White House. In September 2020, Pascale Cecile Veronique Ferrier sent a ricin-laced letter to Trump and received over 21 years in prison.
2024 Campaign Threats
During his 2024 campaign, Trump faced further assassination attempts. In July 2024, Asif Merchant was arrested for plotting a murder-for-hire scheme targeting Trump. In November 2024, Farhad Shakeri was connected to another alleged assassination plot. Shakeri later died in a U.S. military operation.
Second Presidency Incidents
During his second term, Trump faced seven more threat-related incidents and an assassination attempt. In May 2025, Christopher Davies was sentenced to federal prison for threatening Trump. In July 2025, Robert Herrera received a two-year sentence for threatening Trump on social media. In August 2025, Jauan Rashun Porter was sentenced to over three years in prison for similar threats.
In February 2026, Austin Tucker Martin drove into Mar-a-Lago and was shot by authorities. In April 2026, Kadrioan Serainity Santiago was accused of making threats online. In June 2026, authorities uncovered an alleged terrorist plot involving explosive drones targeting a UFC event at the White House.
In August 2026, Jeanine John Taele was arrested for recording security preparations for a Trump fundraising event, with weapons found in their possession.