Trump Says He 'Studied Assassinations' After Shooting Scare at White House Correspondents' Dinner
President links incident to his impact, renews push for new White House ballroom
Quick Look
- President Trump said he has 'studied assassinations' and suggested leaders who make the biggest impact are often targeted, after a shooter rushed the White House Correspondents' Dinner venue in Washington on Saturday night.
- The incident triggered panic and a major security response.
- Trump, who survived an assassination attempt during a 2024 campaign rally, said he leads a 'dangerous life' but is 'not a basket case.' He also used the moment to criticize the Washington Hilton's security and renew his push for a $400 million White House ballroom.
AI-generated summary
US President Donald Trump said he has "studied assassinations" and suggested that leaders who make the biggest impact are often targeted, after a shooting scare disrupted the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington on Saturday night.
Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a shooter rushed the media gala venue, triggering panic and a major security response.
"I ask respectfully, why do you think this keeps happening to you?" a reporter asked Trump after the chaotic incident.
Trump responded by linking the attacks to what he described as his influence as president.
"Well, you know, I've studied assassinations," Trump said. "And I must tell you the most impactful people, the people that do the most -- you take a look at Abraham Lincoln... the people that make the biggest impact, they're the ones that they go after."
"I hate to say I'm honored by that, but I've done a lot," Trump added. "We've changed this country, and there are a lot of people that are not happy about that. So I think that's the answer."
Trump, who survived an assassination attempt during an election rally in 2024, also reflected on the personal risks of political life.
"I lead a pretty normal life, considering, you know, it's a dangerous life," Trump said. "A lot of other people, you know, you read stories where they become basket cases. To be honest, I'm not a basket case."
Despite his often combative relationship with the media, Trump adopted a softer tone toward journalists after the incident and said the atmosphere following the scare was marked by unity.
He said there was "a tremendous amount of love and coming together" after the shooting disrupted the event.
Trump also said he had prepared what he described as the "most inappropriate speech ever made" for the dinner, but joked that he would now be "very boring" when the event is rescheduled.
The president also used the moment to criticise the security of the Washington Hilton, where the correspondents' dinner was held, and renewed his push for the new ballroom under construction at the White House.
Trump said the hotel was "not particularly secure" and that the incident demonstrated the need for the planned $400 million White House ballroom.
