On Sunday, President Donald Trump held a press conference at the White House after a shooting disrupted the Annual Correspondents' Dinner the previous night. His response to the dangers of the presidency quickly became the quote of the moment: "Nobody told me this job was so dangerous."
The question was posed by Spanish journalist David Alandete, who asked if Trump was concerned about political violence and whether the attack might have been politically motivated.
Trump compared the risks of being president to those in other hazardous professions, stating, "I can't be so worried that I can't function. I'm here. It's a dangerous job."
He cited statistics to emphasize his point: while less than 1% of race car drivers or bull riders die in their professions, 5.8% of U.S. presidents have died in office, and about 8% have been attacked.
With a blend of seriousness and humor, Trump added, "If Marco had told me, maybe I wouldn't have run. Maybe I would have said: no, thank you."
The shooting took place on the evening of Saturday, April 25, at the Washington Hilton in Washington D.C., around 8:40 p.m. A man in his 30s from Torrance, California, fired between five and eight shots near the metal detector area at the hotel's entrance.
The Secret Service subdued and apprehended the shooter in the lobby before he could reach the main ballroom, where approximately 2,600 guests, including Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and cabinet members like Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, and Tulsi Gabbard, were gathered.
A Secret Service agent sustained injuries to his protective gear and was taken to a local hospital, where he was expected to recover. No fatalities or injuries among attendees were reported.
Trump was swiftly moved to a secure area within the hotel and returned to the White House around 9:45 p.m., where he addressed the media a few hours later.
Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, who was near the entrance as an NBC guest, recounted her experience upon hearing the gunfire and taking cover under a table: "Thank God the president is safe" and "no one was hurt."
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced pending charges against the suspect for shooting and weapons possession.
Trump described the event as the third assault or attempted crime against him in under two years. The first occurred on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a bullet grazed his right ear, and spectator Corey Comperatore tragically lost his life shielding him. The second took place on September 15, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida, when an armed individual was neutralized before acting.
Trump announced that the Correspondents' Dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days and concluded his remarks with a statement on his resolve: "I love this country and am very proud of the work we've done. With that comes risk. No doubt about it."
Understanding the Risks of the Presidency
How often have U.S. presidents faced attacks?
Approximately 8% of U.S. presidents have been attacked while in office.
What happened during the Correspondents' Dinner incident?
A man in his 30s fired shots near the entrance of the Washington Hilton, but the Secret Service quickly detained him before he could reach the main event area.
How did the Secret Service respond to the shooter?
The Secret Service neutralized and apprehended the shooter in the lobby, preventing him from accessing the main ballroom.