Donald Trump has said he resisted being rushed away by security during a shooting scare at the White House Correspondents Dinner, explaining that he wanted to see what was happening as the situation unfolded.
Speaking in a sit-down interview on 60 Minutes with Norah O’Donnell, the president recounted the tense moments from Saturday night, noting that he did not make it easy for the United States Secret Service agents tasked with protecting him.
He praised First Lady Melania Trump as “strong” and “smart” in what he described as her first experience with such an incident, contrasting it with a previous assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania that she did not attend.
In contrast, Vice President J.D. Vance was swiftly evacuated from the venue. Trump appeared to stumble while leaving the stage, though he later said he had been instructed by agents to get down as a precaution.
Authorities identified the suspected gunman as Cole Allen, who reportedly rushed past security screening before opening fire. Law enforcement officers quickly subdued the suspect, and no serious injuries were reported. Trump later remarked humorously on the suspect’s speed, suggesting it was “NFL-worthy.”
The president commended the swift response of security personnel and confirmed plans to reschedule the dinner within the next 30 days. He also addressed reports of a manifesto linked to the suspect during the interview, at times sparring with the interviewer as he reflected on the incident.#newsafro_
