Donald Trump confirmed that Melania Trump is “doing great” after an incident disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on Saturday evening.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News, the president said he was also “fine,” describing the evening as difficult but noting that there were moments of unity among attendees.
“She’s doing great. I’m fine. And it was a very sad evening in many ways,” Trump said.
He added that interactions between political figures shifted as the night unfolded, saying that individuals who had previously been “generally hostile” were seen greeting one another as the event came to an end. “There was something very nice… the place was just coming together,” he said.
Incident Prompts Security Response
According to law enforcement officials, the suspect attempted to reach the ballroom area before being stopped by security personnel. Authorities confirmed that one officer was injured but survived due to protective equipment.
A White House official told The Epoch Times that the suspect was identified as Cole Allen from California.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that the individual “set out to target folks that work in the administration, likely including the president.”
Officials stated that the investigation is ongoing as authorities continue reviewing the events surrounding the incident.
Calls for Future Security Measures
In the aftermath, Trump referenced plans for a new secure ballroom at the White House, emphasizing enhanced safety features for future events.
“This is mostly for future presidents,” he said, noting that the project is progressing ahead of schedule.
Despite the disruption, the president also highlighted the broader atmosphere of the evening, pointing to moments where attendees appeared to set aside differences.
“It was very nice to see,” he said.
