President Donald Trump’s latest would-be assassin has reportedly become obsessed with false claims about Jeffrey Epstein that have been peddled by Democrats and their corporate media allies.
Early Sunday morning, an armed man who entered the secure perimeter of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, was shot and killed after allegedly pointing a shotgun at law enforcement officers.
The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. near the north gate of the property.
According to the U.S. Secret Service and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect unlawfully entered the estate carrying a shotgun and a gas canister.
When confronted by two Secret Service agents and a sheriff’s deputy, the individual reportedly set the gas can down and aimed the shotgun at officers.
Authorities responded with gunfire.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
The president and First Lady Melania Trump were in Washington, D.C., at the time of the incident and were not present at Mar-a-Lago.
Authorities recovered a shotgun box from the suspect’s vehicle and determined the firearm had been purchased while he was traveling from North Carolina.
Suspect Identified; Family Speaks Out
The suspect was identified as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin.
Family members had reported him missing in North Carolina the day before the shooting.
Speaking to TMZ, relatives described Martin as quiet and reserved.
He reportedly worked at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club and supplemented his income by selling pencil sketches of landscapes and portraits.
His cousin, 19-year-old Braeden Fields, stated that the family is “big Trump supporters,” adding:
“We are big Trump supporters, all of us. Everybody.”
Fields said Martin generally avoided political discussions and appeared fearful of firearms.
Epstein Files Obsession Under Investigation
Authorities are reportedly examining Martin’s recent fixation on the Jeffrey Epstein case as a potential factor in the incident.
In text messages to a co-worker dated February 15, Martin wrote:
“I don’t know if you read up on the Epstein Files, but evil is real and unmistakable.”
He also encouraged the co-worker to spread what he believed was evidence of a government cover-up, writing:
“The best people like you and I can do is use what little influence we have.
“Tell other people about what you hear about the Epstein files and what the government is doing about it.”
Text message sent last week by the 21-year-old who was killed by Secret Service today after attempting an armed infiltration of Mar-a-Lago. Co-workers told TMZ he recently “became fixated on Epstein” and was “deeply disturbed by what he believed was a government cover-up” pic.twitter.com/WYYo7zf9Yu
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) February 22, 2026
The Justice Department has released more than three million files related to the Epstein investigation.
The records include emails, flight logs, videos, and a wide range of materials.
Some political opponents of President Trump have pointed to the fact that his name appears in certain documents, implying misconduct.
However, President Trump has never been charged or formally accused of involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities despite years of investigation and the release of millions of pages of material.
Trump’s History with Epstein
President Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were social acquaintances in the 1990s.
Their relationship deteriorated in 2004, and Epstein was subsequently banned from Mar-a-Lago.
The ban reportedly followed allegations that Epstein had engaged in inappropriate conduct involving minors, including an incident in which he allegedly pressured an 18-year-old Mar-a-Lago spa worker and harassed the teenage daughter of another club member.
After a complaint from the girl’s father, Trump revoked Epstein’s access to the property.
Epstein later expressed hostility toward Trump in emails and recordings from 2017–2019, calling him a “horrible human being” who was “evil beyond belief” and “borderline insane.”
In 2006, after allegations against Epstein became public, Trump contacted the Palm Beach Police Department regarding Epstein’s activities.
As Slay News reported, Trump told police that he was concerned about Epstein’s behavior around young girls and rumors he’d heard about the financier.
Trump described Epstein as “disgusting” and urged police to look into Ghislaine Maxwell, who he said was “evil.”
Investigation Ongoing
Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Martin’s actions and whether his online activity or personal communications indicate a motive.
The shooting underscores the continued security threats faced by President Trump, even when he is not physically present at his properties.
Authorities have not indicated that any broader threat remains.
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