Washington: Donald Trump has strongly rejected allegations mentioned in a manifesto linked to the suspect involved in the recent shooting scare at the annual White House Correspondents’ dinner in Washington.
Speaking in an interview with 60 Minutes, Trump described the tense moments when gunfire erupted at the venue, prompting security personnel to swiftly escort him and other dignitaries to safety. The incident occurred at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the high-profile event was being held.
Recalling the situation, Trump said he initially tried to assess what was happening rather than immediately moving to safety. He noted that Secret Service agents repeatedly urged him to take cover as they responded to the unfolding threat.
The controversy intensified after reports emerged that the suspect had made references to Trump in a written manifesto shared before the attack. Addressing those claims, the President firmly denied the accusations, calling the individual responsible a “disturbed person” and criticising the media for highlighting such statements.
Trump also emphasised that he had been cleared of past allegations and dismissed any attempt to link him to the remarks made by the attacker. He expressed displeasure over the discussion of the manifesto during the interview, arguing that it amplified the voice of the perpetrator.
Despite the disruption, Trump said he does not want the prestigious media event to be abandoned due to the incident. He urged organisers to reschedule the gathering soon, stating that acts of violence should not be allowed to derail democratic traditions.
Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack, while security agencies have reinforced measures around high-profile events in the US capital.
