‘Speaking to you in a half an hour’: Trump to address White House shooting, says premises have been evacuated
Shortly after Donald Trump and other government officials were evacuated from the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after what sounded like gunshots broke out, the US President has said in an update on Truth Social that he will soon appear for a press conference.
“Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room. The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition. We will be speaking to you in a half an hour. I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 30 days.”
Trump has said in another recent Truth Social post that the shooter has been apprehended.
Read More | Is Trump okay? Secret Service rush POTUS out of White House amid shooting as reports say he, JD Vance are uninjured
“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we “LET THE SHOW GO ON” but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again,” wrote Trump.
What happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner?
A video shows Trump in the middle of a conversation at the Washington Hilton when he was interrupted by a commotion at the White House table. Loud bangs can be heard in the background. Several Secret Service members then escorted Trump away from the venue as they called out “stay down, stay down”.
Read More | Is White House shooter apprehended? Trump provides update after Correspondents’ Dinner evacuation
Stephen Miller, Trump’s top adviser, was also seen being escorted from the crowd and out of the venue. Senior administration officials like Pete Hegseth were also escorted out by their security details. FBI Director Kash Patel was evacuated from the room after about five gunshots were heard, according to the BBC.