President Donald Trump avoided discussing Melania’s reaction to the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. In a recent interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes on Sunday, April 26, the US president reflected on the events of the previous evening when a gunman entered the Washington Hilton.
During the interview, Norah O’Donnell inquired about both Trump’s and Melania’s responses. While Trump mentioned Melania’s “rather traumatic experience,” he remained cautious in his responses. When asked if Melania was scared, Trump hesitated, stating that it was understandable to be alarmed in such a situation.
Trump recalled observing Melania’s distress during the incident, noting that she appeared upset. As the guests were enjoying the salad course at the dinner, gunshots interrupted the event, leading to Trump and Melania engaging in a conversation with Karoline Leavitt and CBS’s Weijia Jiang before taking cover. Trump and JD Vance were swiftly escorted away from the stage.
Later that evening, Trump held a press briefing where he showcased footage of the gunman charging at security after the shooting. He commended Melania for her composure during the ordeal, emphasizing the rapid response to the situation.
Melania swiftly reacted to the gunshot sounds, whereas Trump initially mistook it for something harmless while Melania immediately recognized the danger. Following the incident, the Secret Service swiftly intervened, leading to a lockdown of the room for about an hour.
The event resumed around 9 pm, with Jiang delivering a welcome speech and inviting guests back to their seats. The gunman, identified as 31-year-old California teacher Cole Allen, was apprehended and charged with firearm use during a violent crime and assault of a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.