(Washington, 27th) During the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner attended by U.S. President Trump, gunshots were heard near the scene. On the 26th, Trump stated that First Lady Melania “performed exceptionally well” at the time of the incident.
Trump and Melania were attending the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on the 25th when gunfire suddenly erupted at the venue, leading to Trump’s emergency evacuation.
In an interview on a CBS program, Trump mentioned that Melania was not present during the attempted assassinations he had faced in Butler, Pennsylvania and West Palm Beach, Florida in 2024.
Trump said: “I’ve experienced this sort of thing several times before, but she hasn’t — at least not something as serious as this.”
He said Melania is “very strong and smart. She immediately reacted and understood what was happening,” and stayed constantly alert.
Reflecting at a later press conference, Trump said that in the moment, he thought the gunshot was the sound of a tray being dropped. He said: “I thought it was a tray that had dropped. I’ve heard that sound many times before — it’s loud, but it was very far from me.”
However, Melania reacted differently. Trump said: “I think Melania realized exactly what was happening. I think she knew immediately. She said, ‘That sound did not sound right.’”
At approximately 8:35 p.m. Eastern Time on the 25th (8:35 a.m. Malaysia time on the 26th), video from the event showed that after hearing gunshots, guests at the Washington Hilton hotel dinner sought cover. Secret Service agents quickly rushed to Trump, escorting him and cabinet members out of the banquet hall.
The shooter, acting alone, charged at the Secret Service security checkpoint in the hotel lobby. He was carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives. When he tried to cross the checkpoint, Secret Service agents stopped him.
Law enforcement engaged in a shootout with the suspect, who was not shot. The officers subdued him on the ground and put him in handcuffs.