Trump reveals Melania's chilling words as suspect armed with guns and knives storms White House Correspondents' Dinner
Donald Trump has spoken out after last night's potential assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
A man, who has since been identified by US media outlets as Cole Tomas Allen, stormed into the venue last night while armed with guns and knives.
It is unclear at this point how he was able to get past security but he was only able to open fire for a brief amount of time, with no casualties reported, before he was tackled by security agents.
Trump was quick to praise the work of the secret services working at the event for their work in getting him and the first lady to safety, but he also credited Melania for what she said to him moments before the danger first presented itself to others.
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Speaking at a press briefing shortly after the incident, President Trump credited his wife for identifying the sound of a bullet when others were still unsure.
"It's always shocking when something like this happens.
"The fact that we were sitting next to each other, the first lady on my right, and I heard a noise," Trump said, adding they thought 'it was either a tray or a bullet.'
Although there were 2,600 prominent guests in attendance, the suspect was only able to cause one injury, with the security official who was shot in a bullet-resistant vest said to be recovering well.
Trump also shared a video to Truth Social showing the alleged shooter being pinned to the floor by security officials, after he and his wife were escorted to the Presidential Suite.
The 79-year-old added: "The first lady was doing a terrific job. She loves the country. She recognises it better than any. But she told me numerous times, she said 'you are in a dangerous job'.
"It was a gun and some people understood that pretty quickly and other people didn't. I was watching to see what was happening,' the President remarked. "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."
Although security concerns have been raised as to how the suspect was able to get into the venue carrying so many weapons, they did act quickly to prevent a possible assassination attempt, with Trump having already survived several during his time both in and out of office.
He concluded: "You can have the greatest security in the world but if you've got a whack job whose brain is distorted, they can make trouble."
Meanwhile, other leaders from across the world have expressed their relief that the President is safe and sound, with prime minister Keir Starmer suggesting he was 'shocked' by the overnight incident.
In a post on X, he wrote: “Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
“It is a huge relief that @POTUS, the First Lady and all those attending are safe.”
Discussions on security are also already taking place ahead of the King's planned state visit next week, with Buckingham Palace stating that the King is 'being kept fully informed of developments and is greatly relieved to hear that the President, First Lady and all guests have been unharmed'.
Topics: Donald Trump, Melania Trump, US News, Politics, Keir Starmer
James Moorhouse