NORAH O’DONNELL: Mr. President, thank you for doing this. I’m glad you are safe. How are you doing?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I’m doing well. It was quite an evening. Very difficult to watch, but doing very well.
NORAH O’DONNELL: Do you know if you were the target of the gunman?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I don’t know. I read a manifesto — he’s radicalized. He was a Christian believer, then anti-Christian. Family was concerned; brother and sister complained to police. He was probably a pretty sick guy.
NORAH O’DONNELL: This appears to be the third attempted assassination on your life. Why do you think so many people may be trying to kill you?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Consequential presidents get targeted. When you do things — we turned the country around. We did big things: actions on Venezuela, killing Soleimani. When you’re consequential you attract danger. Lincoln, McKinley were assassinated. People don’t like change. I don’t think my policies are controversial — they’re for the country: secure borders, opposing men in women’s sports, opposing widespread transgender policies. We get things done and some probably don’t like that.
NORAH O’DONNELL: You saw some of the pictures from last night. When did you know something was wrong?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Right around that point. You can see the First Lady’s face. There was a big bang — I hoped it was a tray of dishes, but it wasn’t.
NORAH O’DONNELL: She looked very alarmed. Was she scared?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: People don’t like it said that they’re scared, but certainly who wouldn’t be? She realized it was more likely a bullet than a tray. She handled it great — very strong, smart.
NORAH O’DONNELL: Security moved quickly. You were down at one point. What was happening?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I wanted to see what was happening and probably made it a little harder for them. They told me to go down; I was walking out and they said “Please go down,” so I did, as did the First Lady. We went to a hold room; I tried to get them to continue the event because I didn’t want a criminal to cancel it.
NORAH O’DONNELL: You wanted to go back in.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I did. I didn’t want a crazy person to cancel an important event honoring the First Amendment and the freedom of the press.
NORAH O’DONNELL: The room had bipartisan camaraderie after. Do you think this will change your relationship with the press?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We disagree on a lot. I talk about crime, borders — I’m strong on those. I think the press plus Democrats are often aligned. But after the event, when things looked good, there was camaraderie. People from both parties were warm. I saw senators, congresspeople saying “Way to go.” It was touching.
NORAH O’DONNELL: Who was the designated survivor?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We had a lot of people there. I will say the ballroom isn’t the safest setup; I’m building a safe ballroom on the safest piece of property, with bullet-proof glass, suites above it removed, one powerful entrance, full security equipment. It opens in ’28.
NORAH O’DONNELL: In video you can see the gunman running through metal detectors and firing. How did he get that close with the place swarmed with security?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: He ran very fast — like a blur. You could say equipment outside the building might be better than inside, but weather and other issues complicate that. The law enforcement response was professional: they drew their guns and took him down immediately, sealed the room. Maybe the counterassault could be moved further out, but they did a great job.
NORAH O’DONNELL: How worried were you that there’d be injuries?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I wasn’t worried. We live in a crazy world. I wanted to see if I could be helpful. The law enforcement who came in were very impressive and made me feel safe. We learn and make adjustments; we’re living in a different age with the internet radicalizing some people.
NORAH O’DONNELL: How much have you been briefed about the suspect, Cole Thomas Allen? Have you read the manifesto? He emailed it to family before the attack.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We found that out this morning. Family members were concerned, reportedly called police. The parents seemed devastated. He went to a good school; some of these people are smart but very sick. Law enforcement did a great job.
NORAH O’DONNELL: The manifesto references targets, names officials, and uses violent language: “I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor…” Was he referring to you?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I’m not a rapist. I’m not a pedophile. I was totally exonerated. You read that from a sick person — you should be ashamed of yourself reading that on 60 Minutes. You’re a disgrace. But go ahead.
NORAH O’DONNELL: These are the gunman’s words.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: You shouldn’t be reading that. You’re disgraceful.
NORAH O’DONNELL: He said he cased the place, expected heavy security and found “nothing,” calling it “incompetence.” What did security tell you about his motive?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: He was incompetent too — he got caught. You can always find faults with security, but the team did well. The internet and social media radicalize people. It’s a great tool but has harms too.
NORAH O’DONNELL: He had anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric, attended “No Kings” protests. What did security say about motives?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: People do No Kings rallies; I’m not a king. Some groups like Southern Law have funded extreme groups; it’s a scam run by Democrats. They fund radical groups then use them to blame Republicans. It’s a rigged system.
NORAH O’DONNELL: The allegations and indictments—
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: These are facts. They have checks to the Ku Klux Klan and many others. They spend millions and then blame Republicans.
NORAH O’DONNELL: You’ve been accused and gone to court.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I won money from fake news media for false stories. I brought lawsuits against your network and was paid $38 million. BBC used AI to make me say things I never said. When people cheat, it’s hard to get along.
NORAH O’DONNELL: What do you say to people encouraging political violence or cheering it on?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: The far left is worse. When you see groups and chants like No Kings, it encourages. The manifesto said he attended a No Kings rally. I’m against that.
NORAH O’DONNELL: The room included people who’ve been touched by violence — RFK Jr.’s family, the Kennedys, Steve Scalise. Is there something you can do as president to change the trajectory?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Violence has been around for centuries. I think hate speech from the Democrats is dangerous. This is a consequential presidency; people who profited from taking advantage of the U.S. under Biden are upset now because we’re strong. Investments under my administration revived the country.
NORAH O’DONNELL: Last night you had a tone of unity in the press briefing room.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I felt calm. Some questions were antagonistic, but I thought the moment to reassure the country was important.
NORAH O’DONNELL: Some Cabinet secretaries live on military bases for security. Are you concerned?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: They choose to; the housing is nice. We’re consequential; people who dislike our policies may act. Iran, for example, is not happy we’re preventing them from getting a nuclear weapon. When you’re consequential, things happen.
NORAH O’DONNELL: This was your first appearance at the Correspondents’ Dinner.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I was looking forward to making a speech — would have been funny — but when doors were sealed and law enforcement advised otherwise I accepted it. I wanted the event to continue; I don’t want a crazy person to cancel it.
NORAH O’DONNELL: Why did the tone change in the room afterward?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: People came together. Democrats who can’t stand me were saying “Could I shake your hand?” and “Could I hug you?” There was love in the room after a bad moment.
NORAH O’DONNELL: Conspiracy theories say the event was staged or didn’t happen. What do you say?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I’ve heard the nonsense. People deny many real events, but last night happened. Some people are sick.
NORAH O’DONNELL: Is there any additional threat to you or other officials?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: No indication of more threats. This seems like a lone wolf — a sick, disturbed person. He was once a Christian, was in a Christian group at Caltech, a smart but sick person. He must be put away.
NORAH O’DONNELL: I understand today is the First Lady’s birthday.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Yes. Happy birthday, Melania.
NORAH O’DONNELL: You were back at the White House within minutes.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: They move fast. This is why having a secure ballroom on the grounds is important. Other presidents will use it more than me; it’s a major asset. I hope they hold the event again soon — within 30 days — with more perimeter security.
NORAH O’DONNELL: The White House Correspondents’ Association appreciates you going last night.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I hope they do it again. I don’t want nutjobs canceling events. I didn’t go the first four years because the press treated me unfairly, but I wanted to support it last night. The Secret Service agent who was hit is fine — he didn’t want to go to the hospital but did when asked. They did a great job.
NORAH O’DONNELL: Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Thank you very much.