US President Donald Trump has given his first interview following the attack during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday night. Speaking on CBS's '60 Minutes' program, Trump provided an eyewitness account of the chaotic moments. He revealed that while Secret Service agents were attempting to evacuate him as a gunman opened fire inside the hotel, he personally wanted to stay and see what was happening.
Chaos at the Washington Hilton Hotel
" He explained that the shooting occurred one floor above the basement-level ballroom where the annual dinner was being held. " He admitted that his curiosity to witness the event might have slowed down the Secret Service's efforts to move him to a secure location.
Secret Service Intervention and Safety Protocols
Trump detailed how Secret Service agents repeatedly instructed him to lie on the floor while exiting the stage. "I started walking and they said, 'Please get down, please get on the floor,'" Trump recalled. He complied, and the First Lady also lay down on the floor. Trump mentioned that it took a moment to realize the situation was a "bad problem" and distinct from the usual noises coming from the ballroom, while he praised the agents as "great people" but admitted he told them to "wait a minute," which hindered their speed.
Reaction to the Attacker's Manifesto
The interview saw tense moments when Trump was questioned about references to him in a manifesto the attacker sent to his family. Trump criticized the interviewer, calling them "terrible people" for bringing it up. "I am not a rapist... I read the manifesto. You know, he's a sick person," Trump stated. He expressed that such content shouldn't be read on '60 Minutes' and termed it shameful.
Call to Reschedule the Dinner Event
The President has appealed to the White House Correspondents' Association to reschedule the event within the next 30 days. " Trump added, "It’s not that I've to go, while i am very busy. I don’t need it," but maintained that canceling the event would be a negative outcome.
Trump concluded the interview by reiterating that he isn't linked to any of the claims made in the attacker's manifesto, while he insisted on finishing the interview despite his frustration with the line of questioning and reiterated his stance on the resilience of the annual dinner event.