Trump Jokes About Being 'Less Consequential' After Mar-a-Lago Intruder Shooting

The former president made his first public comments on the incident, saying he has 'a lot of people gunning' for him.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Former President Donald Trump has made his first public remarks about the intruder who was shot and killed by Secret Service agents as he tried to enter Mar-a-Lago over the weekend. Trump joked that he may need to be "a little bit less consequential" in order to avoid such attacks, citing the assassinations of past presidents like Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy.

Why it matters

The Mar-a-Lago incident is the latest in a series of security breaches and threats against the former president, who has faced two assassination attempts in the past. Trump's comments highlight the ongoing security concerns and risks he faces as a high-profile political figure.

The details

Austin Tucker Martin, a 21-year-old from Cameron, North Carolina, tried to sneak into Mar-a-Lago while carrying a gun and a gas can. He was shot and killed by Secret Service agents after refusing to drop the weapon. Trump, who was not at Mar-a-Lago at the time, joked that he may need to be "a little bit less consequential" in order to avoid such attacks, citing the assassinations of past presidents like Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy.

  • The incident occurred early Sunday morning at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
  • Trump made his comments on Monday during an event at the White House.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who was the target of the Mar-a-Lago intrusion.

Austin Tucker Martin

A 21-year-old man from Cameron, North Carolina who was shot and killed by Secret Service agents after trying to enter Mar-a-Lago while armed.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know how long I'll be around. Got a lot of people gunning for me.”

— Donald Trump (Reuters)

What’s next

The Secret Service and local law enforcement are continuing to investigate the incident at Mar-a-Lago.

The takeaway

Trump's comments highlight the ongoing security concerns and risks he faces as a high-profile political figure, even after leaving office. The Mar-a-Lago intrusion is the latest in a series of threats against the former president, underscoring the need for robust security measures to protect public officials.