Donald Trump has spoken publicly after an alleged sh00ting incident disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night.
The annual gathering was notable as it marked one of the rare occasions he attended the event while serving as president, after skipping it in previous years. The evening began smoothly, with attendees welcoming him as dinner got underway.
However, the situation quickly changed when multiple gunshots were heard inside the ballroom at the Hilton hotel. The sudden noise triggered immediate panic, leading to the evacuation of the president, senior officials, and guests, and ultimately the cancellation of the event.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Donald Trump described the moment as startling, noting that at first he mistook the sound for something harmless before realizing it was more serious. He explained that the threat had not reached their immediate area before security intervened, though some people recognized the danger faster than others.
He also shared that Melania Trump reacted quickly, recognizing the seriousness of the noise right away as they were escorted out alongside other attendees.
Trump went on to commend law enforcement and the United States Secret Service for their rapid response, emphasizing how quickly they acted to secure the situation and move everyone to safety.
Authorities later confirmed that a suspect had been detained shortly after the incident. As a result of the security scare, the dinner was canceled, though Trump expressed hope that it could be rescheduled soon, saying he did not want such acts to disrupt normal life.
He also mentioned that he had prepared a strong speech for the evening but decided it would not be appropriate under the circumstances, suggesting he might take a lighter tone at a future event.
When asked about being targeted again, given previous threats, Trump reflected that high-profile and influential figures are often the focus of such attacks. He added that while he does not welcome the danger, he believes it comes with being a prominent leader.