Trump posts photo of suspect who opened fire at press dinner; survived assassination attempt thanks to bulletproof vest
Trump posts photo of suspect who opened fire at press dinner; survived assassination attempt thanks to bulletproof vest
Immediately after leaving the dinner, President Trump held a press conference at the White House to brief on the shooting incident.
Trump at the press conference after the shooting - Photo: AP
Mistook gunshots for a tray falling
Trump said he initially mistook the gunshots for the sound of a tray falling, as the noise came from quite far away.
He said some people quickly realized the situation, while others had not yet understood what was happening. He admitted he “probably should have ducked down faster.” Meanwhile, First Lady Melania Trump was reported to have immediately recognized it was a dangerous sound.
According to Trump, the suspect had not reached the banquet hall area but rushed in from about 50 yards (46m) away. He described the individual as “moving very fast” before being subdued.
He also praised the response of the U.S. Secret Service, saying agents drew their weapons and opened fire almost immediately. “Their response was very impressive,” he said.
No warning before the shooting
Speaking at the White House, Trump stated there was “no notification” of a prior threat and he was “completely unaware” of any risk of an incident.
When asked whether he was the target of the attack, he said it was hard to determine and the suspect was “quite far” from his location.
Trump described the dense security system deployed by the U.S. Secret Service, including undercover personnel seated at tables throughout the banquet hall. The force was present “all over the room,” forcing the suspect to travel a long distance before being detected and subdued.
The President emphasized that the protective measures helped limit the risk and allowed law enforcement to respond promptly.
President Trump recounts the shooting at the press conference - Photo: AP
Suspect exchanged gunfire with police
According to Acting Metropolitan Police Department Chief Jeffery W. Carroll, the suspect ran past a U.S. Secret Service checkpoint in the hotel lobby before being stopped by the force.
“At this point, we confirm that law enforcement engaged in a gunfight with the individual,” Carroll said, adding that the suspect was subdued afterward.
Suspect may have acted alone
Speaking at the press conference, Acting Metropolitan Police Chief Jeffery W. Carroll said that at the time of the incident, President Trump, several cabinet members, and senior guests were present in the banquet hall.
The annual event draws numerous politicians and journalists, making security especially critical.
According to initial information, the suspect was believed to be a guest staying at the Washington Hilton hotel — the event venue. Police have sealed off a room there for investigation and assess that the individual likely acted alone.
Federal prosecutor for Washington Jeanine Pirro said the suspect faces two charges: using a firearm to commit an act of violence and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. The individual is expected to appear in federal court on April 27.
Pirro emphasized the suspect appeared to have intended to cause “the greatest possible damage,” adding that more charges could be filed as the investigation expands.
Shooting does not affect Iran war
President Trump said the shooting would not change the U.S. stance or affect military operations in Iran, though he said it was unlikely the incident was related to that conflict.
“That won’t stop me from winning the war in Iran. I don’t know if there’s a connection or not, but based on what we know, I really don’t think so,” Trump said.
However, the president noted that no possibility can be completely ruled out, saying investigators are continuing to clarify the suspect’s motive.
Push for White House ballroom after security breach
President Trump used the security breach at the Washington Hilton to underscore the need to build a new ballroom at the White House, arguing it would be a safer venue for large-scale events.
Speaking at the press conference, Trump said the current venue “is not a particularly secure building,” adding that the ballroom under construction will be larger and incorporate advanced layers of protection such as anti-drone systems and bulletproof glass.
He said both the Secret Service and the U.S. military support the plan to enhance security for high-level events.
Renderings and design layout of the new East Wing and White House ballroom - Photo: AP
Event will be rescheduled with better security after shooting
President Trump said the White House Correspondents’ Dinner would be rescheduled after being canceled due to the shooting, stressing the next one will be “safer” and better prepared.
He acknowledged the evening of April 25 “didn’t go as planned,” but affirmed the administration would work with organizers to reschedule within 30 days. “We have to make it better and safer,” he said.
However, Trump also noted no security system can completely prevent all threats. Even with the best protection, he said, there can still be individuals with extreme and unpredictable behavior.
Trump and Melania at the dinner, before the shooting occurred - Photo: AFP
Trump says he’s “not shaken” after shooting
Speaking at the White House after the incident, President Trump said he was not severely psychologically affected and would continue living normally, though he acknowledged the presidency carries many risks.
“I don’t want to think about it too much. I still live pretty normally, even though this is a dangerous life,” Trump said, saying he handled the situation as best he could.
He admitted many people in similar circumstances could suffer severe psychological effects, but “that’s not the case” with him.
“I see things as they are. I do this for the country and for no other reason,” he said. The President also praised First Lady Melania Trump, saying she remained calm and “did very well” in the emergency.
Federal prosecutor for Washington DC Jeanine Pirro evacuated from the hotel after reports of the shooting - Photo: AFP
U.S. President calls for unity after shooting
Trump called on Americans to “resolve their differences,” while recalling assassination attempts against him in recent years.
The U.S. President said the incident on the evening of April 25 was not the first time the nation had faced a threat from individuals intending to attack its leaders.
“As you know, this is not the first time in the past few years that our republic has been attacked by someone seeking to kill. In Butler, Pennsylvania, less than two years ago; and in Palm Beach, Florida, a few months later. We came very close, really very close,” he told reporters.
Trump also emphasized unity after the incident, as politicians from both parties condemned the violence. He described the atmosphere at the event as having “a lot of empathy and solidarity,” despite the completely unexpected situation.
He said he, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance were quickly escorted off the stage by security forces immediately after gunshots rang out.
Trump also thanked the press for “showing high responsibility in reporting” on the incident.
Trump answers reporters’ questions during the press conference - Photo: NEW YORK TIMES
Trump wanted to stay at dinner but accepted cancellation for security
President Trump said he tried to stay at the dinner after the shooting but ultimately left on law enforcement’s recommendation.
“We wanted to stay tonight. I have to say I tried my best to stay,” Trump said, adding that authorities determined canceling the event was the safest option.
The President also said the incident was a “pretty shocking experience” for First Lady Melania Trump as everything unfolded very quickly.
He said Melania had repeatedly expressed concern about the dangers of the presidency and acknowledged he himself is directly affected by those risks. She declined to comment when asked by reporters about her feelings.
President Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024, where he survived an assassination attempt with a bullet grazing his ear - Photo: AFP
Trump also said the Secret Service did “better” this time than in their response in Butler, Pennsylvania — where he survived an assassination attempt with a bullet grazing his ear during a campaign rally in July 2024.
The President affirmed the event would be rescheduled, stressing that the U.S. “will not let anyone disrupt society” and cannot allow violence to force the cancellation of public activities.
The press conference also included Vice President JD Vance, FBI Director Kash Patel, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio - Photo: AFP
First Lady Melania Trump at the press conference - Photo: AFP
Secret Service agent survives thanks to bulletproof vest
President Trump said a U.S. Secret Service agent was shot at close range with a high-powered firearm while on duty but survived thanks to a bulletproof vest.
“I just spoke to the officer, and he’s doing great.” Trump said, adding the agent is in “very good condition” and in “very optimistic” spirits.
He also offered encouragement, noting the agent is “very proud of his work” in the Secret Service.
Secret Service quickly subdues suspect
President Trump said a man rushed into the security screening area at the event and, according to him, was “armed with multiple weapons.”
“The very brave members of the U.S. Secret Service subdued the individual, and they acted very quickly,” he said.
The President said he had just posted on social media a video of the suspect, whom he called a “thug,” adding that the person had “attacked our Constitution.”
He began his remarks by calling the incident “very unexpected but handled excellently by the Secret Service and law enforcement.”
Trump posted security camera video showing the suspect running through the security checkpoint. In the video, agents draw their guns and appear to have fired - Video: TRUTH SOCIAL
Suspect from California
A shooting disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner held at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington DC on the evening of April 25 local time, forcing President Trump to be urgently evacuated from the stage.
According to witnesses, at least five gunshots rang out at 8:35 p.m. from the area behind the banquet hall just minutes after the program began.
Immediately after the shots, an agent shouted a warning while U.S. Secret Service tactical agents drew weapons and quickly approached the president.
Trump, who was then on stage with First Lady Melania Trump, was surrounded and removed from the scene within seconds. Hundreds of guests immediately ducked under tables amid the chaos.
The Secret Service later confirmed it had arrested a suspect related to the shooting near the security screening area. The person was identified as a male, about 30 years old, from California, according to multiple security sources speaking to CNN.
CNBC reported the individual carried a shotgun, approached the metal detector area, and was subdued by agents before being handcuffed and taken away. However, how the suspect got into the secure area remains unclear.
Trump posts an image of the shooting suspect on Truth Social - Photo: TRUTH SOCIAL
After leaving the venue, Trump said he would hold a press conference at the White House 30 minutes later. In a post on Truth Social, he confirmed the First Lady and attending cabinet members were safe, adding the event would be rescheduled within 30 days.
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The event was attended by many senior officials, including Vice President JD Vance, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Officials said an investigation is underway, while many key details about the incident have yet to be released.
