UnitedHealthcare Fires Employee Over TikTok Video Mocking Trump Shooting Survival

UnitedHealthcare has terminated an employee after a viral TikTok video showed her expressing disappointment that former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday, April 26, 2026.

The employee, identified as Alison King, was reportedly a social media manager for the health insurance company. In the video, which circulated widely on social media, King sarcastically remarked, Aww, they missed? She later added, We’re cooked as a country when my first reaction to hearing the news about Trump’s attempt was, ‘It was probably fake.’

King’s comments drew immediate backlash, with many users calling for her termination. UnitedHealthcare responded on Tuesday, April 28, with a statement to Fox News Digital confirming her dismissal. Violence is never acceptable and any comments that suggest otherwise are in no way consistent with our mission and values, a company spokesperson said. The person who made comments online about Saturday night’s incident at a Washington event where President Trump and many other political leaders were gathered is no longer employed by the company.

Timeline of the Incident

The shooting occurred during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Trump, who was attending the event for the first time as president, was unharmed. The suspected shooter, Cole Tomas Allen, was arrested shortly after the incident and is facing life in prison. Law enforcement sources told Fox News Digital that Allen had planned to target Trump administration officials, though his exact motives remain under investigation.

Broader Context of Political Violence

The backlash against King’s remarks reflects heightened tensions surrounding political violence in the U.S. In December 2024, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan in what authorities described as a pre-meditated, targeted attack. The killing sparked polarized reactions online, with some social media users celebrating the act and framing it as retribution against corporate power. The suspected shooter in that case, Luigi Mangione, is scheduled to return to court on May 18, 2026, for a ruling on motions to suppress evidence.

King’s firing is not an isolated incident. Earlier this week, an Ohio teacher was terminated after a separate video surfaced in which she appeared to lament Trump’s survival of the shooting. The incidents underscore the growing scrutiny of public reactions to political violence, particularly when tied to high-profile figures.

Company Response and Public Reaction

UnitedHealthcare’s swift action aligns with its stated commitment to condemning violence. The company’s statement emphasized that King’s remarks were in no way consistent with our mission, and values. Fox News Digital reached out to King for comment, but she declined to respond.

The shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has reignited debates about security at political events and the role of inflammatory rhetoric in fueling violence. Former First Lady Melania Trump recently called on ABC to take a stand against hateful and violent rhetoric following comments made by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.

As investigations into both the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting and the killing of Brian Thompson continue, the incidents serve as a stark reminder of the deep divisions in American political discourse.