President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed off stage and evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner after shots were reportedly fired at the Washington Hilton ballroom on Saturday night.
Trump announced on Truth Social after the evacuation that he and Melania were safe, and that the event will be rescheduled within the next 30 days after law enforcement requested that attendees exit the premises.
“Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately. I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room,” he wrote. “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. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
President Trump and the First Lady were seated on the stage with the head of the White House Correspondents Association when the loud sounds were heard inside the ballroom. It was not immediately clear what the loud sounds that led to the evacuation were attributed to, but the president was removed from the dinner.
Trump took to Truth Social after he was evacuated, writing, “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. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
A source told CNN that Trump is safe, and that a shooter is in custody; the condition of the suspect is unknown. A White House official reiterated Trump’s sentiments to MS Now that the he is still planning to deliver his speech, though it’s unclear when he will deliver remarks.
The program will reportedly resume, MS Now and C-SPAN both detailed on their broadcasts. Trump was attending the event for the first time since 2011.
The room, which was filled with journalists, politicians, and celebrities, was not evacuated following the incident. Initial concern at the gala seemed to fade as security swept the ballroom and guests began to converse as they waited for any instructions.
On March 2, the president posted to his Truth Social account that this would be the year he would head to the Washington Hilton and step onto the stage in front of the people he has long referred to as the “enemy of the people.”
“In honor of our Nation’s 250th Birthday,” he wrote, “And the fact that these ‘Correspondents’ now admit that I am truly one of the Greatest Presidents in the History of our Country — the G.O.A.T., according to many — it will be my honor to accept their invitation, and work to make it the GREATEST, HOTTEST, and MOST SPECTACULAR DINNER OF ANY KIND, EVER!”
Trump’s attendance at the event came with controversy as Dan Rather, the Society of Professional Journalists, and 350-plus other journalists and organizations signed a letter calling on the body to “forcefully demonstrate opposition to President Trump’s efforts to trample freedom of the press.”
More to come.
Source:
www.hollywoodreporter.com
