Your World Tonight - White House Correspondents Dinner shooting, Manitoba to ban kids from social media, Michael Jackson biopic controversy, and more

Episode Date: April 26, 2026

Another alleged shooter has come dangerously close to Donald Trump. The U.S. president was at the White House Correspondents Dinner when shots rang out, upending the black-tie event. Investigators are probing the suspect's motives, but the Acting Attorney General says Trump and members of his administration were the likely targets. While no one was seriously hurt, the incident is raising serious questions about security. Also: Manitoba's premier has announced plans to ban kids in the province from social media and AI chatbots. The move is being met with widespread support - and Premier Wab Kinew says it'll protect children from endless scrolling designed for profit. But experts warn enforcing this ban - a first in Canada - may be tricky.And: The new movie Michael is king of the box office. The Michael Jackson bio-pic brought in $97-million US dollars at the North American box office this weekend, and more than double that worldwide. But lucrative debut aside, cultural critics are taking the movie to task. Not because of what's in the movie, but rather what's been left out.Plus: Marking one year since the Lapu-Lapu day tragedy in Vancouver, Palestinians vote in local elections, Angry Habs fans cross the line, and more.

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We believe that he was targeting administration officials. An alleged shooter targeting the Trump administration at the very site of an assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan four decades ago. The political context to a White House correspondence dinner upended by gunfire. This is Your World Tonight. I'm Tanya Fletcher. Also on the podcast, Manitoba stakes a Canada first banning kids from social media. A noble policy, say many, but how effective can such a move really be? We look at those who've come before, including Australia, to see how it's been done there.

And you can celebrate someone while also acknowledging the more uncomfortable aspects of their legacy. The new Michael Jackson movie hits big at the box office, but not without criticism. For parts of his life, the film left glaringly silent. Another alleged shooter has come dangerously close to Donald Trump. The U.S. President was at last night's White House correspondence dinner when shots rang out, upending the Black Tie event. Investigators are probing the suspect's motives. But the acting attorney general says Trump and members of his administration were the likely targets. While no one was seriously hurt, the incident is raising serious questions about security.

Katie Simpson has our top story from Washington tonight. Where? Where? Where? Secret service agents with guns drawn rush the president, the first lady, and the vice president to safety. Donald Trump crouching at times crawling off the stage of a Washington hotel ballroom. Part of the confusion, fear and panic at the White House correspondent's dinner after a gunman ran past security and open fire in a hallway just beyond the hotel lobby. Gunshots sending guests running for cover, federal agents running toward the danger. Quickly finding and subduing the gunmen in a hallway, pinning him to the ground, preventing him from breaching the main event.

It was really, really scary. Veteran CNN news anchor Wolf Blitzer was in the hallway when it happened. All of a sudden, to my left, I hear gunshots, boom, boom, really loud. I mean, it was so loud, it was awful. I was only a few feet away, and I see a guy on the ground shooting. Stay in there. Inside the ballroom, guests didn't know exactly what was going on. The night's entertainer, Ouse Perlman, was showing the president a magic trip

when the Secret Service stepped in. They bring the president down directly in front of me, and we just look at each other for about two seconds. And my mind, obviously, this is like a huge adrenaline, just like, oh, no, are we about to die? Everyone made it out safe as police arrested a 31-year-old teacher from California. Multiple U.S. news agencies have identified him as Cole Thomas Allen. He was armed with two guns and several knives. From our preliminary investigation, it does appear the suspect was targeting members of the administration. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says the suspect was a guest at the hotel.

The Associated Press reports that Allen called himself a friendly federal assassin in writings found by investigators. Donald Trump says there was a manifesto that also included anti-Christian and anti-Trump administration writings. His behavior previously had been so alarming, his family reported him to authorities. It's always shocking when something like this happens. Happened to me a little bit. Trump says he wanted the evening to continue in a show of defiance and unity, but ultimately it was deemed too risky. He also used the moment to argue this is why he's building a ballroom at the White House. It's actually a larger room and it's much more secure. It's drone proof. It's bulletproof glass. We need the ballroom. That's why Secret Service. That's why the military are demanding it.

Trump and his team are calling this a major security success, crediting the Secret Service with stopping the gunmen before anyone was seriously hurt. Katie Simpson, CBC News, Washington. Let's bring in our Paul Hunter now also in D.C. He was attending the White House Correspondence dinner and was in the room when all of this was unfolding. So, Paul, take us through what you saw and heard. Yeah, well, think of it this way. I mean, we're all inside this giant super securitized ballroom. The event had just begun. We're just a couple of kilometers from the White House. Trump is in the room and shots, right? Loud shots. Five or six of them, kind of rat-tat-tat, seemingly right outside the open door just behind our table. It was surreal. I mean, it felt fake. But then people started shouting,

shooter, shooter, get down, get down. And then pandemonium. People diving under tables, chairs knocked over. I turned and crouched behind a giant kind of concrete column behind as my colleagues with Radio Canada were on the floor under our table. And the only thing I was thinking, well, two things I guess. One, this can't be real, but two, it is real. And so now what? You know, will a bunch of shooters walk through those doors and start spraying the room? Is there another shooter somewhere in the room? Nobody knew. I look up and Trump has gone. Secret service agents are pouring in from all sides, headed to all the cabinet secretaries at the table's up front. and as soon as they could rush them out the door, some right in front of us, and then

locked down until order was achieved out in the hallways. It was intense, terrifying, and sobering. Well, we're glad you're safe, first of all. But after this happened, President Trump downplayed the threat of political violence in the U.S. saying no country is immune. I mean, you've been reporting there for many years. And as someone with extensive experience in the U.S., what are your thoughts on that statement? I mean, well, he's right. No country is immune, but there's no denying that among Western countries, America leads the way on this by far. The place is deeply divided politically. And look, it's a country with 340 million people and 4 to 500 million guns. As stunning as it was to experience it firsthand last night. Consider this is the third such attempt on Donald Trump.

And consider history. Last night's was the same hotel where Ronald Reagan was shot in 81. In the crowd last night was Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose dad was shot and killed at a political. event in 68. His uncle was JFK, shot dead in 63. Last night, I watched Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise exit the room past our table, still limping from being shot at a congressional baseball game in 2017. Let's not forget Congresswoman Gabby Giffords shot in 2011. And again, this is number three attempt on Trump. In a country, say some verging on a kind of civil war. Let's not forget the rioting of January 6th, 2021. If civil war sounds like an overstatement, it is not meant that way.

Rividing account and analysis as always, thank you so much for this, Paul. Thank you. Paul Hunter in Washington tonight. We're leaders from every corner of the globe are reacting to Saturday's shooting. Presidents and prime ministers from Mexico, Brazil, France, the UK, Turkey, Japan, India, Australia, all using social media to decry political violence and express solidarity with Donald Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote he's role.

believed that Trump the First Lady and all guests are safe, adding political violence has no place in any democracy. And my thoughts are with all of those who've been shaken by this disturbing event. Still ahead, the results, not unexpected, but the vote itself, no less significant. Palestinians casting ballots in municipal elections seen as a win for democracy. The first such vote in years in the West Bank. And in a pocket of Gaza, the first time in decades. We'll find out how the results will or won't change the political landscape there. That's later on your world tonight. In British Columbia, exactly one year ago, nearly a dozen people died when a car barreled through a Filipino festival in Vancouver.

The driver is charged with 11 counts of second-degree murder and 31 counts of attempted murder. His case is still before the courts. But today, some survivors say they are still struggling to find help. The CBC's Caroline Bargut has more. One year later, my body doesn't feel like it belongs to me. One year ago, Kristianne Watkins and her 11-year-old son were waiting in line to order food at the Lapu-Lapu-D block party when a vehicle drove into the crowd and struck them from behind. Her son was okay, but Watkins was badly injured.

I'm still going to my clinic four times a week. I'm working really, really hard. In the back of my head, I'm also thinking, where is my son mentally? Is PTSD going to affect him? Watkins and other victims say they have four. fallen through the cracks of BC's health care system. Because while they were injured in a car ramming, they had no fault in. Their care has fallen to ICBC, the province's insurance agency, which deals with injuries sustained in car crashes. We've seen governments step in for similar

situations like in Bondi Beach in Australia to directly compensate the victims and families of those horrific tragedies. R.J. Akino is the chair of Filipino BC, the organization. The that put on the Lapu-Lapu-Lapid event. He says in other countries, levels of government step in when there's a tragedy. A BCMLA says ICBC has been supporting victims and claims more than $5 million has gone to those who need it. I would like to continue my recovery and my healing and peace. Christiana Watkins doesn't know if her body will ever return to the way it was before she was struck. Her focus is on healing and is taking it day by day.

Caroline Bargut, CBC News, Vancouver. Manitoba's move to ban kids from social media and AI chatbots is being met with widespread support. Premier Wab Knoo says it'll protect children from endless scrolling design for profit, but experts warn enforcing this ban a first in Canada. Might be tricky. The CBC's Philip Leashanuck takes a look. Most of them are far away, so it would be hard.

Case Abu J-Bal says age restrictions on social media would make keeping up with his friends difficult. The Winnipeg preteen uses apps like Snapchat, WhatsApp and TikTok. Most kids and people, they mostly socialize with their friends online on these specific apps. His mom, Norhamden, says she worries about his screen time, but can do little about it. We cannot keep up with everything kids see on social media. So I totally agree with this decision. Manitoba Premier Wab Kanoe wants his province to become the first in Canada, to ban youth on social media and AI chatbots to protect mental health. Something like a slot machine in a casino, anything that is going to be pushing dopamine.

Dr. Emma Deirdin is the Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience and Learning Disorders. She says Manitoba's proposed ban on social media for teens is a good start, given the profound effects these apps can have on the brain. They were developed by companies with billions of dollars to make sure that we're staying on them, acting on the reward systems, you know, behavioral addictions. Australia was the first country to put age restrictions in place. Indonesia and some European countries are set to follow. But Deirden says limiting access can be a challenge, as Australia has found out.

They've done it through facial recognition. Many teens have, you know, since come out to say that, oh, you know, they were able to, you know, easily get by it. Manitoba Premier Wab Cano says the on enforcing the ban should be on the social media platforms. You know, you have these massive tech oligarchs who have made themselves unprecedentedly rich. That's where we'll be going to the big tech platforms, most of whom are American. Quebec and Nova Scotia may follow, while the federal government is revamping online harms legislation that was stranded when Parliament ended last year. Philip Ljadok, CBC News, Toronto.

Ottawa now, Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will not allow the Americans alone to dictate the terms of the Kuzma negotiations. This comes after revelations that the Trump administration is demanding concessions even before sitting down at the table. Carney now acknowledges those negotiations could take longer than expected, and he set up a new advisory body. But critics say a year into his term, he needs to show progress on a key election promise. The CBC's J.P. Tasker has that story. The president, his trade policy has not changed. He's not going to go back to the old situation where we had no tariffs. In Ottawa, there's concern about the future of Kusma. The Americans are digging in on tariffs and threatening more sanctions on Canada over the U.S. liquor boycott

in this country. Jameson Greer is the U.S. trade representative. I think we're kind of at the end of our rope. The provinces are vowing to keep the liquor ban in place until there's relief for the steel, auto, and lumber sectors. If they want the booze back on the shelves, then take the terrace off our products. Manitoba Premier Wab Canoe says there's no public appetite for a change. They started it. We're going to finish it, I guess. Searching for a resolution to this stalemate, Prime Minister Mark Carney will convene the first meeting of his new Canada U.S. Advisory Committee on Monday. A body stacked with business labor and diplomatic leaders familiar with the crucial cross-border file. The playing field is distinctly

tilted in their favor. It's all ask and no give on their side. With the Trump administration demanding more concessions before renewing Kusma this year, committee member Ralph Goodale is urging Carney to stand firm. We have to have the strength and the nerve and the steel in our backbone, not to be diverted by all of the craziness that goes on. But news stats can data shows can Canadian exports to the U.S. are down nearly 17 percent compared to 2024. That has some in the business community pushing for a quick resolution to the Kusma Review, telling the Prime Minister and his team to play nice. Mind the tone, mind the words, keep it positive, forward thinking.

Louise Blay is a former Canadian diplomat in the States. She now works for the Business Council of Canada. I think we have to show that we care, that this is important, that we've, that we've, the relationship with the United States. Conservative leader Pierre Pauliev has little faith in Carney's ability to negotiate. On Sunday, he was attacking the Prime Minister's credibility while pushing for spending cuts in this week's fiscal update. Mark Carney has been wrong about every single economic issue of our time.

Tuesday's mini budget could be a mixed bag. Slumping trade has blown a hole in Ottawa's finances. But the recent oil price surge could be a windfall for the Treasury. uncertainty abounds in the age of Trump. J.P. Tasker, CBC News, Ottawa. Stephen Lewis has been honored at a memorial in Toronto. The former Ontario-NDP leader and Canadian ambassador to the UN died last month at the age of 88.

Today he was remembered for his social activism and his commitment in the global fight against HIV-AIDS. His son, Avi Lewis, flanked by his two sisters, praised their father's selflessness and generosity. He helped people like he breathed, and this impulse was deeply democratic. It sought no advantage, nothing in exchange. Avi Lewis says it was a miracle. His father was able to witness his recent election as the federal NDP leader just days before his passing.

Overseas, allies of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have won the most seats in local elections in the occupied West Bank and one community in Gaza. It's the first vote in the West Bank in nearly five years and the first in Gaza in two decades. Our Tom Perry is in Ramallah with more. In a battered but still standing school in Dira Bala in central Gaza, a sight not seen in two decades. Palestinian voters casting ballots to elect new representatives

on their municipal council. The elections are important because we've been cut off for more than 20 years in Gaza and deprived of this democratic process, says Shafika Rabah. This community is the only place in Gaza where the Palestinian Central Election Commission even attempted to hold a vote. Communities in the rest of the territory are still too devastated by years of Israeli bombardment. Election organizer Amjad al-Shawa says Israeli authorities would not allow ballot boxes or other election materials into Gaza, so teams had to scramble. Today we have responsible elections with strong participation from the communities, from the people, from the voters.

Hamas was not on the ballot, but candidates aligned with the militant group won two out of 15 seats in Gaza. In the West Bank, Hamas's bitter rival, Fata swept the election. The Fata-run Palestinian Authority is seen by many as corrupt and ineffective, though voters here are still hopeful. It's my duty as a citizen to elect good people who will give us our rights and work for this country, says Fadi Ahmed Othala. Not everyone is as enthusiastic with some political parties boycotting the vote. Because we want real elections and these elections are not real.

Mustafa Barguti leads the Palestinian National Initiative. His party sat out this vote protesting a requirement. Candidates acknowledge the Fata-dominated Palestinian Liberation Organization, which has recognized the state of Israel as the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. And that alienated, of course, many political groups like ours, which decided to boycott, and many people too. With much of the opposition sitting out the vote, Fata-backed candidates ran unchallenged in many seats. The Palestinian Election Commission says roughly 56% of eligible voters cast ballots in the West Bank, while in Gaza, that number was just 23%. Still, this vote for all

its flaws is being welcomed by international observers, including Canada, hopeful that after 20 years of Fata controlling the West Bank and Hamas running Gaza, a democratic future for Palestinians is still possible. Tom Perry, CBC News, Ramallah. In Indonesia, there's growing concern the country is backsliding into authoritarian rule. Experts say there's been a rise in surveillance threats and attacks against activists and government Freelance reporter Dave Grunabom has that story from Jakarta. At a demonstration across the street from Indonesia's presidential palace, activists call out for justice. It's an attack on the entire Indonesian democracy, says youth activists and law school student, Derry Prima Ramadan, responding to an asset attack last month on Andri Yunus, a local human rights activist.

Andri often spoke out against a controversial revision to Indonesian law passed last year, which enables the military to have an increasing role in the government. Andre suffered burns at almost 25% of his body and has since had several surgeries on his right eye. Derry says the culprits are trying to send a message. They try to make us silent. They try to make us feeling fear. Huria, who like many Indonesians, has only one name, is an assistant professor of political science at the University of Indonesia. It actually reflects a situation in Indonesia where we have been witnessing a significant democratic decline.

Amnesty International recorded attacks and threats against almost 300 activists, influencers, and journalists in Indonesia last year. This is actually a continuation and also a pattern and evolving strategy that is used by state actors to silence public critics. soldiers are scheduled to appear in a military court this coming Wednesday to face charges in connection with last month's asset attack. But activists want the case moved from the military justice system to civilian. They're concerned the military will scapegoat low-level soldiers and not reveal the mastermind

behind the attack. Nadine Sharani is a spokesperson for contrast. The local human rights watchdog that asset attack victim Andri Yunus also works for. We really want for the president to create an individual. independent investigation team, which is not a part of the police, not a part of the military forces. President Proboa Subianto is a former army general under Indonesia's last dictator Suharto. Proboa has promised no impunity for anyone connected to the asset attack. The Ministry of Defense told the CBC in a written statement,

Indonesia's legal system, including the military justice framework, operates under clear laws designed to uphold fairness and due process. At the same time, the government remains committed to democratic principles, including civilian oversight, freedom of expression, and the protection of civil society in the media. But before the asset attack, Provoa called critics of his policies unpatriotic and foreign stuages. Back of the demonstration, youth activist Derry led the crowd in a chant. Saying, don't be silent, fight. All that this happened is not make us fear, just make us.

stronger. Dave Grunabam for CBC News, Jakarta, Indonesia. For hockey fans, it may very well be the most wonderful time of the year, playoffs. Only two Canadian teams are left with a shot at bringing back the Stanley Cup to Canada, which hasn't happened, by the way, since 1993. The Ottawa senators were eliminated Saturday by the Carolina Hurricanes. The Edmonton Oilers, who competed in the last two cup finals, are trying to make the third time a charm. And, the Montreal Canadians are trying to win their first since 93, facing off in game four against the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight. As Quabino Oduro reports through all the fanfare,

some Habs fans may be crossing a line. When the Montreal Canadians are in the playoffs, the city of Montreal is always buzzing. And with the latest attempt at a Stanley Cup, hockey fans have high hopes. They're going to win. That's what's going to happen. Going straight to the finals. Going for the cup.

If they won against Tampa Bay, I'm pretty sure that they're going. They're going to the Stanley Cup finals. For businesses in the city, capitalizing on the playoffs is a good thing. Bars are usually packed, and Canadian's merch is flying off the racks. It brings up business by 50% for everybody. Other than the fact that it's good for business, it's just so much fun. You know, as a Habs fan and as a room full of Habs fans here, it's a lot of fun.

Montreal Canadian fans are considered some of the most passionate fans in all of sports. But when things don't go well or the Habs lose a game, Do fans think they go too far and cross the line with attacks on players? I think it's one of the toughest markets to play hockey in, but I think the fans are just passionate, and I don't think it takes it too far. It's all love, baby. It's definitely passion. I mean, you can voice your opinions or not,

but when it comes through a point where it's affecting him and his family, sometimes it goes too far. You know, it's just the city's very passionate. Sometimes we don't mean what we say 100%. And honestly, it went too far with the threats and all that. After the Habs 3-2 overtime loss in game two against Tampa Bay, some fans started attacking Kirby Doc on social media for a couple of mistakes he made that led to the game-winning goal for Tampa Bay.

Some comments said he's as good as an orange cone on the road. And there were worse comments. It got so bad that Doc and his wife deactivated their Instagram accounts. Psychology professor Teresa Bianco says fans tend to cross the line when their social identity becomes attached to a team. We're happy to back them when they're winning. but when they're losing, we want to reverse course

and we don't want to be associated with the loser. So in that way, that cutting off a reflected failure is a way of preserving one's self-esteem. Doc did bounce back in game three. He received a standing ovation multiple times in the game. Didn't really expect it. So it was nice.

I mean, the fans have been unbelievable for us all year. And for me, they've stuck through by my side, through a lot, so it definitely meant a lot. As the Habs continue their playoff run and with a bright future ahead, some players are reminding fans, they are only human and will make mistakes, but share the same goal, bringing the Stanley Cup back to Montreal. Cibino Duro, CBC News, Montreal. The new movie Michael is proving king of the box office.

The Michael Jackson biopic brought in 97 million U.S. dollars at the North American box. office this weekend, and more than double that worldwide. But lucrative debut aside, cultural critics are taking the movie to task, not because of what's in it, but rather what's been left out. Griffin Yeager explains. Michael Jackson's Moonwalk and major hits. Back on screen in a new biopic, and fans are split. It follows the King of Pop's rise from a child star in the Jackson 5 to pop megastar.

But many critics taking issue with a choice to end the movie's story in the 1980s before Jackson was accused of child sexual abuse. Filmmakers have a responsibility to at least point towards it. Sarah Tai Black is a film critic in Toronto. You can celebrate someone while also acknowledging the, the more uncomfortable aspects of their legacy. The filmmakers plan to include allegations from a 13-year-old boy in the movie, but the storyline was dropped because of a clause in a 1994 legal settlement, resulting in expensive reshoots and delaying the movie's release by a year. Leon NaFaq is the co-host of the podcast Think Twice Michael Jackson.

The legal reality forced them not to defend Michael, but to kind of just like move the camera elsewhere. Produced in cooperation with Michael Jackson's estate, it's raising questions about whether the film tries to polish the singer's legacy. In a statement, the estate says the executors have consistently and unequivocally maintained that Michael Jackson is innocent. Sarah Ty Black argues avoiding the allegations does audiences a disservice. To audiences, to try to grapple with difficult things, to not just give us stories and neat tidy packages. But Ney Fox says some moviegoers just want to celebrate the hit.

much like in the Broadway hit MJ the musical. They're not there to be confronted with difficult truths. They're there to enjoy his songs and his dancing and relive those iconic moments. In 1993, Michael Jackson was investigated but never charged for child sexual abuse. He was later acquitted on several counts in his 2005 child molestation trial, but allegations continued after his death. from the 2019 documentary leaving Neverland to new allegations in the New York Times published Friday.

For as big as this is supposed to be, you've got to tell it all. Jackson's former bodyguard Bill Whitfield says his full story should be told. You have to give people not just the king of pop, but you also have to give them Mr. Jackson. Still, audiences don't seem deterred, showing up in big numbers for Hollywood's latest music biopic. Griffin-Yaker, CBC News, Toronto. We end our show tonight, recapping our top story.

24 hours after gunfire upended the White House Correspondence Dinner, new details are coming to light about the suspect from California. President Donald Trump says the gunman had written a manifesto, investigators now discovering messages from the alleged shooter, denouncing the Trump administration and mapping out a violent plan of action. World leaders have flooded social media with post-denouncing political violence, violence. And historical parallels are also being drawn. Saturday night's gunfire was at the very same hotel, the Washington Hilton, where Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. You can follow the latest

updates on this and our other top stories at cbc.ca.ca slash news. This has been your world tonight for Sunday, April 26th. I'm Tanya Fletcher. Good night. For more CBC podcasts, go to cbc.ca slash podcasts.