A Southwest Airlines flight attendant publicly called for President Trump’s assassination on social media following a White House Correspondents’ Dinner security breach. Michele Carpino posted disturbing messages advocating violence against the president just minutes after a gunman attempted to storm the April event, prompting the airline to launch an internal investigation into the employee’s conduct.

Pattern of Disturbing Social Media Activity

Carpino, a ten-year Southwest employee, wrote “Oh please sweet baby Jesus, WE NEED BETTER ASSASSIN’S!” on her Facebook page after Secret Service agents stopped Cole Allen from breaching the Washington press dinner. The post came to light through Libs of TikTok reporting, revealing a troubling history of anti-Trump rhetoric on her social media accounts. One July 2024 post read “One day we will wake up to his obituary,” published just three days before the Butler, Pennsylvania assassination attempt on the president.

Investigators discovered additional concerning content, including Carpino’s use of the phrase “86 47” on social media. The restaurant industry term “86” means to discard or refuse service, while “47” references Trump as the 47th president. Former FBI Director James Comey faced federal indictment in April 2025 for posting the same phrase, which Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche classified as an illegal threat against the president’s life.

Southwest Takes Action

Southwest Airlines confirmed awareness of the posts and announced immediate action. The company emphasized that such content violates its core values and employee conduct standards. Concerned passengers flooded the airline’s social media channels questioning safety protocols, with one user writing they wouldn’t “feel comfortable” with Carpino responsible for passenger care. The airline declined to comment on specific personnel decisions but stated it treats such matters with utmost seriousness and follows established disciplinary procedures for policy violations.

Broader Security Concerns

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about threats against President Trump and the role of social media monitoring in public safety. The White House Correspondents’ Dinner breach that triggered Carpino’s posts remains under Secret Service investigation, with security protocols under review. Federal prosecutors continue evaluating whether Carpino’s statements constitute criminal threats under federal law. The case raises questions about airline employee vetting procedures and the balance between free speech and threatening rhetoric in an era of heightened political tensions and actual assassination attempts against sitting presidents.