Bongino says Trump is ‘luckiest man on Earth’, warns attackers ‘only need one shot’

WASHINGTON, DC: Former Deputy Director of the FBI Dan Bongino issued a stark warning about threats facing President Donald Trump on Friday, April 26, after the shooting scare at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, saying the president may be “the luckiest man on Earth,” but that security teams can never fully eliminate danger.

Bongino said even the strongest protective detail is constantly reacting, while an attacker only needs one successful moment.

Bongino expresses concerns for President's life

Speaking with Fox News after the chaotic incident in Washington, Bongino said he has long been deeply worried about Trump’s safety.

“I am extremely concerned for this president and have been for a long time,” he said.

Referencing the Brighton hotel bombing targeting Margaret Thatcher, Bongino recalled the phrase often associated with such threats, “We only have to be lucky once, you have to be lucky every day.”

He then added, “This has to be the luckiest man on Earth.”

Bongino argued that even elite protection units remain at a structural disadvantage because they respond after an attack begins.

“You could have the greatest Secret Service in the world but the hard reality is, they’re always reacting and reacting is slower than acting,” he said.

He added that even highly trained forces such as special operations teams cannot erase the unpredictability of real-world threats.

“I’m worried for him. I’ve never seen anything like this in my time in law enforcement.”

Bongino also suggested investigators may review whether the protective perimeter around Trump inside the venue was set too tightly.

He described modern presidential security as a “box within a box” model, where restrictions become more intense closer to the president.

But he said officials would likely examine whether outer barriers should have been placed farther away from the ballroom entrance.

WHCD shooting sends shockwaves

The warning came after panic erupted at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 25.

The annual gala, traditionally attended by presidents, journalists, lawmakers and celebrities, was underway when authorities responded to an armed threat near a security checkpoint close to the ballroom.

Secret Service agents quickly moved Trump, JD Vance and other senior officials from the area as law enforcement secured the scene.

Officials later said a suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of California, had been apprehended.

Trump later praised the response on social media, writing that Secret Service and law enforcement acted “quickly and bravely.”

He also said he had recommended that authorities “let the show go on,” though the evening was ultimately thrown into disarray.