Mar-a-Lago Gunman's Real Politics Revealed as Leavitt Blames Dems

Trump goon Karoline Leavitt tried to blame Democrats for the attempted incursion in Florida, but the dead man was reportedly obsessed with the Epstein files.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The armed man who was shot dead outside Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence was a troubled Trump supporter who was fixated on the Epstein files, according to friends and family. Austin Tucker Martin, 21, was shot and killed by Secret Service agents after he was seen holding what appeared to be a shotgun and a can of fuel. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised federal law enforcement but used the incident to take a dig at Democrats, claiming they had 'chosen to shut down their Department'.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing political tensions and conspiracy theories surrounding the Epstein case, as well as the security challenges faced by high-profile political figures like Trump. It also raises questions about the mental health and motivations of the perpetrator, and the role of social media in amplifying fringe beliefs.

The details

According to his cousin Braeden Fields, Martin came from a MAGA-friendly family and was 'real quiet, never really talked about anything.' However, Martin had become increasingly obsessed with the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files, sending a text message to a co-worker expressing his belief in a 'government cover-up' and urging the co-worker to 'raise awareness.' Martin was also described as 'deeply disturbed' by what he felt was a lack of accountability for 'powerful people' in the Epstein case.

  • The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2026.
  • Martin was reported missing on Saturday, February 22, 2026.

The players

Austin Tucker Martin

A 21-year-old Trump supporter from Cameron, North Carolina, who was shot and killed by Secret Service agents outside Mar-a-Lago after allegedly holding a shotgun and a can of fuel.

Karoline Leavitt

The White House Press Secretary who praised federal law enforcement for their actions and used the incident to criticize Democrats.

Braeden Fields

Martin's 19-year-old cousin, who described the family as 'big Trump supporters' and said Martin was 'real quiet, never really talked about anything.'

Donald Trump

The former president who was in Washington, D.C. at the time of the shooting.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late financier and convicted sex offender whose case has been the subject of ongoing conspiracy theories and investigations.

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What they’re saying

“We are big Trump supporters, all of us. Everybody. I wouldn't believe he would do something like this. It's mind-blowing.”

— Braeden Fields, Martin's cousin (The Sun)

“I don't know if you read up on the Epstein Files, but evil is real and unmistakable. The best people like you and I can do is use what little influence we have. Tell other people about what you hear about the Epstein files and what the government is doing about it. Raise awareness.”

— Austin Tucker Martin (TMZ)

“He is from a very pro-Trump family and fit into that narrative. But he wouldn't go out of his way to bash anybody from the left side or start arguments or anything like that. He had his opinion, and he mostly kept it to himself.”

— Clarice Bonillo, Martin's high school JROTC officer (The New York Times)

What’s next

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine Martin's exact motivations and any potential connections to extremist groups or individuals.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the growing political polarization and the spread of conspiracy theories, particularly around high-profile cases like Epstein's, and the potential for such beliefs to lead to violent actions. It also highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in protecting public figures and the need for continued vigilance and de-escalation efforts.