‘Don’t Know How Long I’ll Be Around’: Trump Reacts After Armed Intruder Shot Dead At Mar-A-Lago
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Last Updated:February 24, 2026, 07:26 IST
The remarks marked his first response since an armed intruder was shot dead by US Secret Service agents after breaching the security of Mar-a-Lago.
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US President Donald Trump said that he was unsure how long he would be around after an armed intruder was shot dead while breaching the security perimeter of his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago.
While responding to the incident, Trump said, " “I don’t know how long I’ll be around. I’ve got a lot of people gunning for me, don’t I?"
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Trump: “I don’t know how long I’ll be around. I’ve got a lot of people gunning for me, don’t I?" pic.twitter.com/Boq5pxHxav— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 23, 2026
The remarks marked his first response since an armed intruder was shot dead by US Secret Service agents after breaching the security of Mar-a-Lago.
Trump, who survived two separate assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign, mixed humor with pointed commentary when addressing the latest incident.
“You read about all these crazy shooters, but they only go after consequential presidents," he said. “They don’t go after non-consequential presidents."
He referenced two assassinated U.S. leaders — Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy — adding, “They were consequential."
At one point, Trump appeared to soften his tone. “So maybe I want to be a little bit less consequential. Can we hold it back a little bit?" he said, before joking, “Let’s be a normal president for a little while."
The incident took place on Sunday (local time) when a man was spotted near the north gate of the property carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel canister.
Authorities identified the intruder as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin of North Carolina. US Secret Service agents said Martin drove through the north gate of the Palm Beach estate
The Secret Service said Martin drove through the estate’s north gate in a 2013 silver Volkswagen Tiguan before being confronted by two agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the suspect raised the shotgun toward officers and was “quickly neutralised." He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities later found a weapon box inside Martin’s vehicle. His family had previously reported him missing and confirmed the car belonged to him. Reports indicated he had recently become obsessed with the administration’s handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
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