Washington DC: U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that his own curiosity hampered Secret Service efforts to evacuate him after a gunman opened fire at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner on Saturday night. In a testy interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes that aired Sunday, Trump admitted he “wasn’t making it that easy” for agents because he wanted to see the source of the commotion for himself.
The shooting occurred around 8:36 p.m. near the main security screening area, just outside the basement-level ballroom where the President, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance were seated. Law enforcement identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California, who was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and knives. A Secret Service agent was struck in his bullet-resistant vest during the confrontation but is expected to recover.
Key Moments from the Interview
-
Delayed Evacuation: Trump recalled asking agents to “wait a minute” as they tried to hustle him off the stage. “I wanted to see what was happening… I probably made them act a little more slowly,” he told correspondent Norah O’Donnell, noting that agents eventually had to insist he and the First Lady get on the floor.
-
Reaction to the Gunman: When asked about his safety, Trump dismissed any fear, stating, “I wasn’t worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world.”
-
Heated Exchanges: The interview turned confrontational when O’Donnell cited portions of the suspect’s manifesto, which allegedly contained disparaging labels. Trump lashed out at the interviewer, calling her a “disgrace” and the media “horrible people” for giving the “sick person” a platform on the show.
Resilience and the Path Forward
Despite the breach, the President urged the WHCA not to cancel the event permanently, insisting it be rescheduled within the next 30 days. “I think it’s really bad for a crazy person to be able to cancel something like this,” Trump said. He clarified that while his schedule is busy, the importance of not letting “a sick person” dictate national events was paramount.
The FBI is currently investigating the attack as politically motivated, with the suspect reportedly leaving writings that targeted members of the administration. For now, the President has returned to the White House to prepare for the upcoming State Visit of King Charles III, while security protocols for major Washington events are under intense review.
