Good Morning. A Caltech engineer with a master's degree just tried to assassinate the president at a journalism gala. Here’s what happened.
We also cover Musk's long-shot AI trial, $50 movie tickets, and the boring business that makes more than the NFL (forwarded this email? Join 523k readers).
TOP STORY TODAY
Correspondents' Dinner Attack
A 31-year-old California man armed with a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives rushed a security checkpoint (gaps in security, explained) outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington on Saturday evening. President Trump and first lady Melania Trump were evacuated from the ballroom. One Secret Service officer was struck but protected by a bulletproof vest and is expected to recover.
The suspect, Cole Allen of Torrance, California, holds a mechanical engineering degree from Caltech (2017) and completed a master's in computer science in 2025. He worked as a private tutor and was named teacher of the month in December 2024. He purchased the shotgun used in the attack in August 2025 and traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago, then on to Washington, checking into the hotel the day before the event.
Allen is set for a Monday federal arraignment on two initial charges: using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, with additional charges expected. Investigators say he is not cooperating, while authorities continue reviewing suspect's manifesto, family warnings, and timeline.
Musk v Altman
Jury selection began today in Oakland federal court for Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman. Musk, who donated roughly $38 million in early funding, alleges OpenAI abandoned its nonprofit mission by converting to a for-profit structure backed by Microsoft.
The four-week trial now hinges on two remaining claims: breach of charitable trust and unjust enrichment. Musk dropped his fraud claims days before trial. Legal experts question whether he has standing to sue at all as a donor, noting California attorneys general have already signed off on OpenAI's restructuring.
Prediction markets put Musk's odds of winning around 40%. Even a partial victory likely yields governance fixes rather than the full $134 billion sought. The jury's verdict is advisory only, meaning the judge retains final say on any remedies. What you need to know here.
$50 Movie Ticket
Regal Cinemas charged $50 per ticket for opening night seats to "Dune: Part Three" in its top-tier auditoriums, marking a visible shift in how theaters price inventory. Annual ticket sales remain down more than a third from pre-pandemic levels, even as recent hits have lifted spirits.
Premium format screens now account for 17% of all tickets sold, up from 13% in 2021, averaging $18 nationally and up to $30 in major cities. AMC has expanded its premium auditorium count by 30% since 2021, now totaling 517 locations, and tacks on up to $2 in surcharges for opening-weekend blockbusters (ticket prices over time).
The tension is real: studios want lower prices and shorter preshow ad runs, while theater operators say they need the revenue to survive. Paramount has pledged at least 30 theatrical releases per year if its Warner acquisition closes, compared to a combined 19 in 2025, a number theaters are counting on.
TOGETHER WITH SKECHERS
Matt Fitzpatrick Wins RBC Heritage in Skechers, Securing Second Title
Matt Fitzpatrick claimed victory at the RBC Heritage tournament (4/19/2026), proudly wearing Skechers Blade GF golf shoes and Performance apparel. This marks his second RBC Heritage title (2023 & 2026) adding another PGA Tour victory to his impressive 2026 season after winning the Valspar Championship last month!
Fitzpatrick secured the tournament in a dramatic playoff against world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and sealed the win with a birdie on the first playoff hole, demonstrating remarkable composure under pressure. The tour pro successfully held a lead through 54 holes and converted it into a win, showcasing his improved closing ability.
This win further solidifies Skechers’ position in the golf market, reinforcing our reputation for creating some of the most innovative and comfortable footwear in the industry. Our commitment to performance and design allows elite athletes like Matt to compete and win at the highest level.
Congratulations to Matt Fitzpatrick for this outstanding achievement and for representing Skechers Performance on one of golf’s biggest stages!
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TODAY’S LIFE ADVICE
Three Ways to Die With Zero
Most people over-save and under-live. Hedge fund manager Bill Perkins built a philosophy around spending strategically, not hoarding blindly.
His core moves:
Calculate "memory dividends" from experiences you'll relive for decades
Give money to kids while they're young enough to use it
Budget for health and longevity now, not later
Dying rich means you miscalculated. Curious what a $250,000 longevity budget actually looks like? Perkins breaks it all down.
Build Wealth Without Being Famous
Most millionaires never make headlines. Princeton research shows 1,000 private business owners hit $10M net worth for every public company CEO.
The boring business playbook:
Buy something profitable, not exciting
Stay close to what you already understand
Scale through acquisitions, not virality
Serve customers obsessively, watch the bottom line
Dentists out-earn every pro sports league combined. The pipeline guy nobody's heard of built a $300M company into billions.
Want the full framework? The everywhere millionaire story is worth 12 minutes.
TRENDING
5 Stories
▲ S&P 500 profits surge 13% for sixth straight quarter despite record-low consumer sentiment and Iran war drag
▲ Pandemic cars trap 30% of buyers underwater with average negative equity hitting $7,200, up 42% since 2021
▲ FISA Reform bill emerges as AI's ability to mass-search warrantless surveillance databases alarms bipartisan lawmakers
▲ Larry Ellison guarantees $40B for Warner Bros. deal while already pledging 24% of his $212B net worth as loan collateral
▲ Apocalypse Now belief held by 40% of American adults as end-times rhetoric reaches the White House Faith Office
TOGETHER WITH TOURLANE
A Better Way to Travel Europe
With Tourlane, you can skip hours of planning your trip and all those open tabs. Everything is organized in one place, with personalized itineraries, 1:1 planning sessions, and insider tips from local travel experts.
Our bespoke team designs custom European trips tailored to your preferences, with no generic packages. Start with a free 30-minute call to get your personalized travel plan, with flexible booking options and transparent pricing every step of the way. 1% Better readers can start building a trip designed entirely around them.
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Fun Links
YouTube shorts algorithm, explained [Video]
Scientists can now regrow fingertips [Blog]
Why is milk white, anyway? [Video]
Bob Odenkirk in Normal movie [Video]
What a 7,000 cal diet looks like [Blog]
Best steak tacos you’ll ever make [Video]
Generational Wealth, explained [Video]
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