The president Donald Trump held a press conference this Sunday from the White House following the shooting that disrupted the Annual Correspondents' Dinner the night before, and he responded with a reflection on the dangers of the presidency that quickly became the phrase of the moment: "No one told me this job was so dangerous".
The question was posed by Spanish journalist David Alandete, who asked Trump if he was concerned about political violence and whether the attack could have political motives.
Trump responded by comparing the risks of the presidency to those of other dangerous professions: "I can't be so worried that I can't function. I'm here. It's a dangerous profession."
The leader cited statistics to illustrate his point: while the percentage of race car drivers or bull riders who die in the course of their activity is less than 1%, 5.8% of U.S. presidents have died in office and around 8% have been attacked.
In a tone that mixed seriousness and humor, Trump added: "If Marco had told me, maybe I wouldn't have run. Maybe I would have said: I'll pass."
The shooting occurred on the evening of Saturday, April 25 during a dinner held at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington D.C., around 8:40 p.m. A man, approximately 30 years old and originally from Torrance, California, opened fire between five and eight times near the metal detector area at the hotel entrance.
The Secret Service neutralized and apprehended the attacker in the lobby before he could enter the main hall, where approximately 2,600 attendees were present, including Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and cabinet members such as Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, and Tulsi Gabbard.
A Secret Service agent was injured in his protective gear and was transported to a local hospital, although he was expected to survive. No fatalities or injuries among the guests were reported.
Trump was immediately evacuated to a safe area within the hotel and returned to the White House around 9:45 p.m., where he held a press conference hours later.
The Cuban-American congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, who was near the entrance as a guest of NBC, described her experience after hearing the gunshots and taking shelter under a table: “Thank God the president is fine” and “no one is injured.”
The acting attorney general Todd Blanche announced imminent charges against the suspect for gunfire and possession of firearms.
Trump described the incident as the third attack or attempted crime against him in less than two years. The first occurred on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a bullet grazed his right ear and the spectator Corey Comperatore lost his life using his body as a shield. The second took place on September 15, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida, when an armed man was neutralized before he could act.
Trump announced that the Correspondents' Dinner will be rescheduled within 30 days, and concluded his speech with a statement about his determination: "I love this country and I am very proud of the work we have done. With that come risks. There is no doubt."
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