US3 min(s) read
Published 11:17 26 Apr 2026 GMT
Trump reveals Melania's chilling words as shots were fired forcing him to crawl out of White House Correspondents' Dinner ballroom
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Donald Trump has revealed what Melania Trump told him after bullets were fired at the Washington Hilton Hotel during the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
The president said the pair were sitting next to each other when he heard a noise and initially thought it could have been “either a tray or a bullet.”
“It's always shocking when something like this happens,” Trump said at a White House press briefing in the West Wing within an hour of the violence.
Trump says Melania knew the sound was serious
“I heard a noise and kinda thought it was a tray going down,” he said.
Per The New York Times, Trump said Melania quickly recognized it as a “bad noise,” adding that “it was a rather traumatic experience for her.”
“Melania was very cognizant,” he continued.
The president also said his wife had warned him about the risks of his role.
“The first lady was doing a terrific job. She loves the country. She recognizes it better than any. But she told me numerous times, she said "you are in a dangerous job."”
Secret Service rushed Trump from the ballroom
Inside the dining room, several shots rang out and attendees ducked under tables. Secret Service agents and other security rushed through the room to protect top-ranking politicians.
Trump, Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance ducked for cover under their table on stage. The Secret Service's Counter Assault Team then rushed the stage in black tactical gear with rifles drawn.
“It was a gun and some people understood that pretty quickly and other people didn't. I was watching to see what was happening,” Trump said. “Melania was cognizant of what happened, and I think she knew.”
“Again the performance of the Secret Service and the police, all of law enforcement were very good. It was very quick. There was not a lot of time to be thinking. It was a matter of seconds before we were out the door and got into an area.”
Suspect named after officer shot
The DC Metropolitan Police Department said the suspected shooter was Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, who was a guest at the Hilton hotel.
Trump said one officer was shot during the exchange.
“One officer was shot, but saved by the fact that he was wearing an - obviously - a very good bulletproof vest. He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job.”
He added that he had spoken to the officer, saying “he's doing great” and is in “very high spirits.”
Trump said the dinner would be rescheduled within the next month.
“We're going to be doing one hopefully within the next 30 days,” he said.
He also said he had been ready to deliver his speech and was “all set to really rip” some of the journalists in the room, before adding: “This would be the most inappropriate speech.”