Trump Reflects on Chaos During White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting Incident
Trump's Experience During the Shooting Incident
Former President Donald Trump recounted his experience during the shooting incident that occurred outside the ballroom of the Washington Hilton Hotel on Saturday night, coinciding with the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. In an interview with CBS's '60 Minutes', he detailed the chaos that unfolded following the gunfire.
When asked if he felt anxious upon hearing the shots, Trump responded, "I wasn't scared. I understand life. Anything can happen in today's world."
He expressed a desire to witness the situation firsthand, which may have delayed the Secret Service agents in escorting him to safety. Trump stated, "I wanted to see what was happening. I wasn't cooperating with them (the Secret Service). I wanted to know what was going on. Gradually, as I understood the situation, it became clear that it was not just the noise from the ballroom; it was something more serious."
Recalling the incident, Trump mentioned, "I was in a strong protective circle with a vigilant team, but honestly, I made their job harder. I kept saying, 'Wait, just a minute.'"
As he exited the stage, security personnel repeatedly urged him to bend down. Trump noted, "I started walking, and they said, 'Please bend down, please get to the floor.' So I bent down, and Melania did too."
The interview also featured tense moments when Trump was questioned about a message sent by the suspect to his family prior to the attack, which included remarks about him. Trump replied, "I knew you would read this because that's how you people are. Yes, he wrote that, but I am not a rapist. I've read that message; he is a sick man. Such comments have no place in a program like '60 Minutes', but let's continue the interview."
When asked if he believed the attacker was specifically targeting him, Trump asserted, "I am not someone who exploits children... Are you reading the nonsense of a mentally ill person? I am being linked to things that have nothing to do with me. I have been completely exonerated."
In conclusion, the former president urged the White House Correspondents' Association to reschedule the dinner within the next 30 days. Trump remarked, "I don't want it to be canceled. I think it's a terrible thing for a less intelligent person to cause such an event to be canceled. He added, "It's not that I want to go there. I'm very busy. I don't need it."