President describes chaotic evening marked by violence and unexpected bipartisan gestures following attempted attack at high-profile Washington event
President Donald Trump said Sunday morning that First Lady Melania Trump is “doing great” and that he is “fine” after a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on Saturday evening.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump was asked about his wife, who had been seated beside him when gunfire erupted during the event.
“She's doing great. I'm fine. And it was a very sad evening in many ways,” Trump said.
He added that despite the incident, the night also brought moments of unity.
“I saw some Democrats as we were leaving, and they were [previously] generally hostile. And last night they were waving to me and politicians, congressmen, senators, they were waving” and greeting him, he said.
“So there was something very nice” that “the place was just coming together,” the president noted. “Was very nice to see, actually.”
Law enforcement officials said the suspected shooter attempted to storm the ballroom before being subdued by security personnel. One officer was shot but survived due to a bulletproof vest, Trump said Saturday evening.
A White House official confirmed to The Epoch Times that the suspect was identified as Cole Allen from Torrance, California.
Earlier Sunday, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Meet the Press that the suspect “set out to target folks that work in the administration, likely including the president.”
Blanche said Allen is believed to have traveled from Los Angeles to Chicago and then to Washington by train.
In the Fox News interview, Trump reiterated the need for a secure ballroom at the White House, noting that court decisions have partially delayed construction.
“As you know, we're building a big, beautiful, very, very secure ballroom in every way, with massive bulletproof glass. It's almost four inches thick. It's pretty amazing stuff,” Trump said. “This is mostly for future presidents. And we're actually ahead of schedule, and we're right on budget.”
The shooting occurred at approximately 8:40 p.m. near the event’s security barricades. United States Secret Service agents and other authorities quickly secured the area as guests took cover under tables.
Gasps filled the ballroom as attendees realized what was happening, while hundreds of journalists immediately began reporting developments.
Among those escorted out was Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was rushed from the venue by Secret Service agents after loud bangs were heard.
Video footage posted online showed Trump, the first lady, Vice President JD Vance, and Cabinet officials being evacuated as others remained sheltered.
During a Saturday evening press briefing at the White House, Trump suggested that his political profile has made him a repeated target, while also calling for unity and bipartisan healing amid rising violence. The incident appeared to mark a third attempt on his life in less than two years.
“It’s always shocking when something like this happens. Happened to me, a little bit. And that never changes,” Trump said.
