Updated on: April 26, 2026 / 5:06 PM EDT / CBS News
In a 60 Minutes interview, President Trump said he resisted an immediate evacuation after shots were fired at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, telling CBS News correspondent Norah O’Donnell that he ‘wasn’t making it that easy’ for the Secret Service because he ‘wanted to see what was going on.’
Trump said he was ‘surrounded by great people’ but asked them to ‘wait a minute’ so he could assess the situation before being moved. The dinner marked his first appearance at the annual event as president; he has typically declined the invitation in past years. O’Donnell attended the gala, which celebrates the First Amendment.
Secret Service agents escorted the president and other administration officials out of the ballroom after shots rang out. Authorities say 31-year-old Cole Allen charged a security checkpoint at the hotel armed with a shotgun, a handgun and knives before police apprehended him. A Secret Service agent was shot but, because the agent was wearing a bulletproof vest, was released from the hospital after treatment.
Sources told CBS News that Allen had written a manifesto and sent it to family members, who alerted authorities. In material reviewed by CBS News, Allen said he planned to target administration officials, listing intended victims ‘prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest’ and indicating he would attack law enforcement, hotel staff and guests only if necessary to reach his primary targets.
At a Saturday night news conference, Trump praised law enforcement for their response and said the suspect ‘hadn’t come anywhere close to breach the doors of the room.’ When asked whether he was worried about threats to his life, Trump replied, ‘It’s a dangerous profession.’
Trump also said he tried to resume the event after the shooting but that law enforcement would not permit it, and he expressed a desire to reschedule the dinner within 30 days.
The 60 Minutes interview with Norah O’Donnell airs Sunday night at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and Paramount+.