United States President Donald Trump has made light of the chaotic White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, joking that Secret Service agents rushed Vice President JD Vance from the stage faster than him.
The President used a Police Week event in the Rose Garden on Monday to mock the dramatic evacuation, telling supporters agents grabbed Vance and pulled him from the stage before helping him to safety.
“They had great professional people, and they came out within seconds,” Trump said.
“I saw them take JD by the shoulders and lift him up like he was a little boy.
“I said, ‘how come they didn’t lift me up so fast?’ They lifted JD – got ripped out of the chair. That was a view of the week, but they did the job, JD, right? I think so.”
Footage from the dinner showed an agent sprinting towards the Vice President before dragging him backwards from his chair as additional officers surrounded him.
Trump remained seated for several moments before agents escorted him from the stage.
During the evacuation, he briefly stumbled forward as officers directed him towards the floor.
The President later told CBS News he had slowed the evacuation because he wanted to assess what was unfolding.
“I wanted to see what was happening… I probably made them act a little more slowly,” he said.
He also rejected claims he had fallen during the incident.
“I was walking out… about halfway there, they said, ‘please go down to the floor,’” Trump said.
Authorities later identified the alleged gunman as 31-year-old California engineer Cole Allen.
Prosecutors allege Allen opened fire with a long gun near a security checkpoint outside the ballroom before law enforcement subdued him.
One Secret Service agent suffered injuries during the shooting, though Trump said the officer’s bulletproof vest prevented more serious harm.
Allen has since been charged with attempting to assassinate the President along with firearm offences linked to the attack.
He pleaded not guilty during a federal court appearance on Monday.
Investigators believe the suspect may have acted over political grievances, including anger linked to the war involving Iran.