President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were taken from the stage and evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner after a shooting at the Washington Hilton Ballroom on Saturday night.
Trump announced on Truth Social after the eviction that he and Melania were safe, and that the event would be rescheduled within the next 30 days after law enforcement asked attendees to leave the building.
“Law enforcement has asked us to leave the building, consistent with protocol, which we will do immediately. I will be holding a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House press briefing room,” he wrote. “The First Lady, as well as the Vice President and all members of the Cabinet, are in excellent condition. We will speak to you in a half hour. I have spoken with all representatives responsible for the event, and we will reschedule the event within 30 days. President Donald J. Trump.”
President Trump and the First Lady were sitting on stage with the head of the White House Correspondents’ Association when loud voices were heard inside the hall. It was not immediately clear what caused the loud noises that led to the evacuation, but the president was escorted from the dinner.
Trump took to Truth Social after his evacuation, writing: “Secret Service and law enforcement did an amazing job in DC. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter was apprehended. I recommended that we let the show go on, but we will be fully directed by law enforcement. They will make a decision soon. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we must, quite clearly, do it again. President Donald J. Trump.”
A source told CNN that Trump is safe and that the shooter is in custody; The suspect’s condition is unknown. A White House official echoed Trump’s sentiments to MS Now that he is still planning to deliver his speech, though it is unclear when he will deliver his remarks.
The program will reportedly resume, as both MS Now and C-SPAN have detailed in their broadcasts. Trump attended the event for the first time since 2011.
The room, which was filled with journalists, politicians and celebrities, was not evacuated following the incident. The initial anxiety at the party seemed to fade when security forces swarmed the hall and guests began talking as they waited for any instructions.
A news official at the scene shared details from inside the scene Hollywood ReporterPointing out, “We heard gunshots and people were gathered under the tables and threw themselves on the floor as soon as the shots rang out. But the band continued to play. There was a lot of panic in one corner of the room, and it seemed that in other corners no one could hear what was happening. Some people here really want to get out of hell, but right now they are preventing everyone from leaving.”
The CEO continued, “Everyone is on the phone now but the reception here is very spotty. There’s a group of CNN reporters gathered around us.” [CNN chief] Mark Thompson, they’re all on their phones. “It’s like controlled pandemonium.”
The Secret Service released a statement confirming the investigation into the incident: “The U.S. Secret Service, in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department, is investigating a shooting incident near the main magnetometer screening area at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The President and First Lady are safe with all protégés. One individual is in custody. The condition of those involved is not yet known, and law enforcement is actively evaluating the situation.”
On March 2, the president posted on his Truth Social account that this is the year he will head to the Washington Hilton and take the stage in front of the people he has long referred to as “the enemy of the people.”
He wrote: “In honor of our nation’s 250th birthday, and the fact that these ‘correspondents’ now acknowledge that I am truly one of the greatest presidents in our country’s history – the GOAT, according to many – it would be an honor for me to accept their invitation, and to work to make it the greatest, most colorful, most wonderful dinner of any kind ever!”
Trump’s attendance at the event was controversial, with Dan Rather, the Society of Professional Journalists, and more than 350 other journalists and organizations signing a letter calling on the body to “strongly demonstrate opposition to President Trump’s efforts to crush press freedom.”
More to come.
