The president and reporters were all dressed up for a party at the Washington Hilton. They ended up at the White House trying to make sense of another story of shocking political violence.
President Trump calls press dinner shooting a ‘terrible job’
President Trump called the suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting a “lone wolf” and a “terrible job.”
WASHINGTON – One of the year’s most elegant and highly anticipated parties, with speakers and interrogators in tuxedos and evening gowns, took on a surreal appearance in the White House press briefing room, turning it into a crime scene instead.
President Donald Trump, wearing a black tie, was evacuating the Washington Hilton when a gunman opened fire outside the banquet hall that houses some of America’s highest levels of power and influence. Safely back in the White House, the president was flanked by Cabinet members who typically meet during business hours to discuss tougher issues like tariffs and farm policy.
Vice President J.D. Vance, FBI Director Kash Patel, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin joined President Trump on stage in the briefing room. First Lady Melania Trump was flanked by Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Reporters rushed in from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner to find women in colorful satin gowns and men in black bow ties and shiny tuxedos scrambling to make sense of a shocking new story of political violence in a country where it has become all too common.
“I saw a lot of tuxedos and beautiful dresses. It was a little different night than I expected, but I’ll do it again,” the president said.
President Trump said the police officer who was injured in the attack but was saved by a bulletproof vest is “doing well” and in good condition.
“He was shot at close range with a very powerful weapon. The vest did its job,” Trump said.
Trump added: “I spoke with the police officer and everything is going well.” “He’s doing great. He’s very energetic. And we told him we love him and respect him. He’s a very proud man. He’s proud of his work.”
The press briefing room where President Trump spoke was named after President Ronald Reagan’s press secretary, James Brady. Mr. Brady and Mr. Reagan were both shot in 1981 at the same hotel that Mr. Trump had just left.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner has been postponed. President Trump claimed there would be another party in 30 days, bigger and better than ever.
“I’m ready, I’m willing, I’m capable,” Trump said. “I don’t know if I’ll be as rowdy as I plan on being,” he said of his traditionally humorous speech.
Trump was shot in the ear during a 2024 campaign rally. Another would be the assassin who was arrested after stalking him on his golf course. Reporters asked whether it was possible to lower the temperature of political debate.
President Trump said that while politics is a dangerous profession, he lives a “very normal life considering it’s a dangerous life.”
“I think we’re handling it as well as we can,” President Trump said. “I’m not a basket case. I take it for what it is. I’m doing it for my country.”
The president said when he first heard it, he thought a tray had fallen. A loud bang caused the crowd to duck under the table.
Trump was seated on a raised podium but was quickly removed. He said he wanted to return to continue the dinner, but the event was ultimately canceled. Law enforcement said they immediately took the suspect into custody.
“It’s always a shock when something like this happens, and that will never change,” Trump said. “I heard a noise and thought it was Tray.”
“It was quite far away, but it was a gun,” he added.
