Fact Check: Is the photo of Cole Allen wearing an Israel Defense Forces sweatshirt real?
WASHINGTON, DC: Following the shooting at the White House, a photo began circulating on social media platforms showing the suspect, Cole Allen, wearing an IDF sweatshirt, sparking theories about his association with Israel and Mossad.
Let us analyze the photo and fact-check whether the viral image and the rumors are authentic.
Claim: Photo shows Cole Allen wearing an IDF sweatshirt
After Cole Allen was taken into custody, social media users began sharing numerous rumors about his identity, affiliations, and motives.
One of the most popular claims is an image of a person resembling Allen wearing a sweatshirt with the emblem of the Israel Defense Forces.
A viral post sharing the image came with a caption stating, “The Trump dinner shooter was a ZIONIST! Do NOT let the media hide this! If it were the other way around, it would be EVERYWHERE!”
The photo and the claim have been widely circulated across platforms such as Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.
Some posts also claim that Allen uploaded the image to a now-deleted Instagram account.
Fact Check: The image might have been created using AI
However, there is no evidence that any version of the image appeared online before the attack.
Analyses by artificial intelligence image detection tools such as Hive, Sightengine, Truthscan, MyDetector, and WasItAI returned results ranging from a 2% to 97% likelihood that the image was generated or edited using AI tools.
As a reminder, AI detection tools are not always accurate and are prone to both false positives and false negatives. However, visual evidence within the image suggests that it may have been generated using AI tools.
Several unusual details appear in the image, including oddly shaped furniture near the door and unclear objects that do not fully make sense visually.
The man’s pants also appear inconsistent in shape, with one side unusually wide and the other blending into the chair. While these features seem strange, they are not conclusive proof of manipulation and could be due to the image’s poor quality or angle.
There is also no credible evidence that Allen is linked to Israel or the IDF in any way.
Gunfire disrupts high-profile event at Washington Hilton
The Saturday evening took a dramatic turn when gunfire erupted inside the Washington Hilton during one of the capital’s most high-profile gatherings.
According to The Associated Press, attendees reported hearing between five and eight shots. Authorities, however, have yet to provide a full account of what unfolded.
Security quickly moved to evacuate top officials, including Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump. Vice President JD Vance was also rushed out. All were confirmed unharmed.
