In an interview posted Sunday, Donald Trump said political violence is nothing new following a shooting scare at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, while blaming Democrats’ rhetoric as a key risk.
Trump: ‘I Wasn’t Worried’ During Chaos
Speaking after the incident with 60 minutes, Trump said he remained calm as the situation unfolded, even hesitating briefly as agents urged him to move.
“I wasn’t worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world,” he said, describing how he initially tried to assess the situation before complying with security instructions to get down and evacuate.
He also praised the Secret Service response, saying officers acted professionally and neutralized the threat.
Blames ‘Radicalized’ Suspect, Raises Mental Health Concerns
Trump described the attacker as “radicalized” and suggested the suspect had undergone significant personal and ideological changes.
He added that family members had previously raised concerns about his behavior.
Investigators are continuing to examine the suspect’s writings and background to determine a clear motive.
Trump On Political Violence: ‘It’s Always Been There’
When asked about the broader issue of political violence, Trump downplayed the idea that it is worsening.
“You go back 20 years, 40 years, 100 years … it’s always been there. People are assassinated. People are injured,” he said.
However, he argued that political rhetoric is fueling tensions today, adding, “I do think that the hate speech of the Democrats … is very dangerous. I really think it’s very dangerous for the country.”
Event May Be Rescheduled Amid Security Review
Despite the scare, Trump said he supports holding the dinner again soon, noting that “a crazy person” should not be allowed to disrupt such events celebrating press freedom.
Gunman Sparks Panic At White House Correspondents’ Dinner
On Saturday, a gunman breached the security perimeter during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where top U.S. officials, journalists and more than 2,500 guests had gathered.
Shots were fired, prompting Secret Service agents to swiftly evacuate Trump, the first lady and other senior leaders.
Senior Democratic leaders have commended law enforcement’s swift response.
Authorities later identified the suspect as a 31-year-old California man who allegedly sent a manifesto before the attack indicating he intended to target members of the Trump administration.
No fatalities were reported and law enforcement quickly subdued the attacker.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo Courtesy: noamgalai on Shutterstock.com
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