President Donald Trump spoke with press after he and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed off stage and evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner after shots were reportedly fired at the Washington Hilton ballroom on Saturday night.
Trump said that the suspect was “armed with multiple weapons” and charged through security checkpoint, and an accompanying video of the incident was shared on his Truth Social page. He also revealed that an officer was shot, but “saved by the fact that he was wearing a obviously very good bulletproof vest.”
“He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job,” Trump said. “I just spoke to the officer, and he’s doing great.”
The president confirmed that the dinner would be rescheduled in the next 30 days or so, noting, “I fought like hell to stay, but it was protocol.” He further commended the response time from law enforcement officials.
“The response time was really incredible, and we’re going to reschedule. We’re gonna do it again, we’re not gonna let anybody take over our society we’re not gonna cancel things out because we can’t do that,” he said. “We wanted to stay tonight. I will tell you, I fought like hell to stay, but it was protocol.”
Trump said that he had a “rough” speech ready for the dinner, but that the events of Saturday night will likely shift his remarks to be “probably very nice.”
“I am ready, willing and able, and I was all set to really rip it,” Trump said of his speech. “I’ll be very boring the next time, but we’re going to have a great event.”
When answering questions from reporters, Trump said that he believed the suspect acted alone. The Associated Press identified Cole Tomas Allen as the shooting suspect.
He also recounted the moment as it happened, explaining that he initially thought a tray had dropped. Trump said it sounded “quite far away,” but that Melania was “very cognizant” that it could have been a shooting.
Trump announced on Truth Social after the evacuation that he and Melania were safe, and that the event will be rescheduled within the next 30 days after law enforcement requested that attendees exit the premises.
“Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately. I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room,” he wrote. “The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition. We will be speaking to you in a half an hour. I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 30 days. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
President Trump and the First Lady were seated on the stage with the head of the White House Correspondents Association when the loud sounds were heard inside the ballroom. It was not immediately clear what the loud sounds that led to the evacuation were attributed to, but the president was removed from the dinner.
Trump took to Truth Social after he was evacuated, writing, “Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON’ but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
A source told CNN that Trump is safe; the condition of the suspect is unknown. A White House official reiterated Trump’s sentiments to MS Now that the he is still planning to deliver his speech, though it’s unclear when he will deliver remarks.
The program will reportedly resume, MS Now and C-SPAN both detailed on their broadcasts. Trump was attending the event for the first time since 2011.
The room, which was filled with journalists, politicians, and celebrities, was not evacuated following the incident. Initial concern at the gala seemed to fade as security swept the ballroom and guests began to converse as they waited for any instructions.
A news executive on the scene shared details from inside the venue with The Hollywood Reporter, noting, “We heard shots and people were huddled under the tables and threw themselves on the ground as soon as the shots rang out. But the band kept playing. There was a lot of panic in one corner of the room, and it seemed like in other corners no one could hear what was going on. Some people here really want to get the hell out, but at the moment they are blocking everyone from leaving.”
The exec continued, “Everyone is in the phone right now but reception here is very spotty. There’s a pack of CNN reporters Huddled around [CNN chief] Mark Thompson, all of them on their phones. It’s like controlled pandemonium.”
The Secret Service issued a statement confirming they are investigated the incident: “The U.S. Secret Service, in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department, is investigating a shooting incident near the main magnetometer screening area at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The president and the first lady are safe along all protectees. One individual is in custody. The condition of those involved is not yet known, and law enforcement is actively assessing the situation.”
On March 2, the president posted to his Truth Social account that this would be the year he would head to the Washington Hilton and step onto the stage in front of the people he has long referred to as the “enemy of the people.”
“In honor of our Nation’s 250th Birthday,” he wrote, “And the fact that these ‘Correspondents’ now admit that I am truly one of the Greatest Presidents in the History of our Country — the G.O.A.T., according to many — it will be my honor to accept their invitation, and work to make it the GREATEST, HOTTEST, and MOST SPECTACULAR DINNER OF ANY KIND, EVER!”
Trump’s attendance at the event came with controversy as Dan Rather, the Society of Professional Journalists, and 350-plus other journalists and organizations signed a letter calling on the body to “forcefully demonstrate opposition to President Trump’s efforts to trample freedom of the press.”
More to come.
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