Former Trump Assassination Attempt Suspect Visits Mar-a-Lago

A man who, a local sheriff alleged, had "probably" wanted to assassinate President Donald Trump at a California campaign rally ended up being invited to his Mar-a-Lago home. Vem Miller has maintained that he never intended to kill Trump at the Coachella Valley event on October 12, 2024, and said he attended the rally as a supporter and member of the media. Miller was arrested by the Riverside County sheriff's deputies at a checkpoint about a mile from the rally site after a shotgun, a loaded handgun , and a high-capacity magazine were allegedly found in his vehicle.

Miller was never charged in connection with any assassination attempt. The FBI and Secret Service said Trump's life was not considered to be in danger at the event. The claim that Miller's detention prevented what would have been the third assassination attempt on Trump in four months was made by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco while speaking to the media.



Miller is now suing Bianco for $100 million in a defamation lawsuit over the disputed assassination plot claims. Four months after his arrest on lesser gun charges in Coachella Valley, Miller attended a "Celebrate American Exceptionalism" event at Trump's resort in Palm Beach, Florida. In an interview with Newsweek , Miller said the invitation to the February 18 event proves he was not, and never was, a threat to Trump.

"The biggest thing that shocks people at this point is that just a month ago, I was at Mar-a-Lago, like 500 feet away from the president with a full security clearance," Miller said in a phone interview with Newsweek . "I was in these private rooms with these individuals having zero security issue in getting in." Newsweek contacted Bianco via the Riverside County Sheriff's Office for comment, which replied that it does not comment on pending litigation.

In a previous statement to U.K. tabloid Daily Mail , Bianco said, "When asked, I tell people all the time about what he [Miller] did.

Facts are facts." Images and video shared with Newsweek show Miller was present at the Mar-a-Lago event, alongside Trump and other high-profile guests such as actor Russell Brand and heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson. Miller says he was invited to Mar-a-Lago because of his independent media work.

He founded the America Happens Network in 2007, which produces a series of online shows and podcasts under the motto, "Rage against mainstream media." He also hosts a podcast called Blood Money on the America Happens Network. The podcast's website says it focuses on "topics of corruption, controversy and conspiracy—topics the mainstream media will not touch.

" Bianco told the Southern California News Group that his officers had "probably stopped another assassination attempt" by arresting Miller last October. Bianco also told The Epoch Times his deputies apprehended someone who "ended up saying he was going to kill the president." He later retracted that statement, telling the newspaper he had received "bad info.

" Miller's lawsuit against Bianco in California says the sheriff promoted the assassination theory despite knowing it was false. Miller also alleges Bianco attempted to use the situation to boost his public profile ahead of a political campaign. Bianco announced in February that he is running as a Republican candidate for governor of California in 2026.

"There are multiple instances where Bianco operates in a very narcissistic way to get in front of the camera," Miller told Newsweek . "He loves the media in order to raise his star for his future attainment of higher power, and that's what's happening right now in terms of him running for California governor." Miller pleaded not guilty to two counts of carrying a loaded firearm in public in January.

He believes one charge will eventually be dropped, as authorities are aware the shotgun was not loaded at the time of his arrest. The defamation lawsuit against Bianco alleges the sheriff demonstrated an "outrageous, reckless disregard" for the truth in accusing Miller of plotting to assassinate Trump. "The aftermath of being falsely accused as an attempted presidential assassin has been utterly devastating to Mr.

Miller—destroying his previous work opportunities, receiving threats which have led him into hiding, his parents' home being raided by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on October 14, 2024, leaving him unable to obtain work, and his ex-wife used those allegations to prevent him from having any contact with his children," the lawsuit states. During an October 2024 press conference, Bianco denied that accusing Miller of wanting to kill Trump was an exaggeration. "If you are asking me right now, I probably did have deputies that prevented the third assassination attempt," Bianco said.

"If we are that politically lost that we have lost sight of common sense and reality and reason—that we can't say, 'Holy crap, why'd he show up with all that stuff and loaded guns?'—and I am going to be accused of being dramatic? We have a serious, serious problem in this country. Because this is common sense and reason. "I certainly wouldn't want to be saying after the fact: 'I wish we had done something to prevent that shooting,'" he added.

"There is absolutely no way that any of us are going to truly know what was in his head." Miller's lawsuit said the sheriff's actions demonstrated an "outrageous, reckless disregard for Mr Miller and his rights." Bianco "took advantage of a perceived golden opportunity to boost his own political career" and to "falsely" accuse him of wanting to assassinate Trump, the lawsuit added.

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