Karoline Leavitt claimed that no one has endured “more violence” than President Donald Trump following the recent shooting at the White House correspondents’ dinner.
“Saturday was supposed to be a joyful evening, celebrating free speech and the first amendment with all of you members of the press,” the White House press secretary, 28, said in a press conference on Monday, April 27. “Instead the night was hijacked by a crazed anti-Trump individual who traveled across the country to assassinate the president and his many administration officials as possible.”
Leavitt continued, “This is the third major assassination attempt against President Trump in two years. No other president in history has faced such repeated and serious attempts on his life.”
Leavitt added that Donald, first lady Melania Trump and everyone in the White House are “extraordinarily grateful to the brave law enforcement and professionals who sprang into action” to keep everyone safe.
“As you know I was seated next to President Trump and the first lady when the shots were fired and the Secret Service swiftly moved us to safety backstage,” she recalled. “The president’s calm in the face of chaos while yet another individual was trying to take his life was really remarkable to witness.”
Leavitt called for the violence to stop and asked for those who disagree with Donald, 79, and his administration to make their opinions heard by voting, debating and peaceful protesting.
“Nobody in recent years has faced more bullets and more violence than President Trump. This political violence stems from a systematic demonization of him and his supporters by commentators, by elected members of the democrat party and even some of the media,” she claimed. “This hateful and constant violent rhetoric directed at President Trump day after day after day for 11 years has helped legitimize this violence and bring us to this dark moment.”
Gunfire erupted at the Washington Hilton hotel on Saturday, April 25. Donald, Melania, Leavitt — who is currently pregnant with her second child — and more officials were rushed out of the ballroom. A Secret Service agent was shot during the crossfire and transported to a local hospital for treatment. The agent is expected to make a full recovery.
“[He was] saved by the fact that he was wearing, obviously, a very good bulletproof vest. The vest did the job,” Donald told reporters in a press conference. “I just spoke to the officer and he was doing great, he’s in great shape, in very high spirits and I told him we love him and respect him and he’s a very proud guy, he’s very proud of what he does, the Secret Service agent.”
Law enforcement officials confirmed that a 31-year-old California resident, Cole Allen of Torrance, was in custody. The suspect has been charged with two counts of using a firearm and one count of assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
This is not the first time an attempt has been made on Donald’s life. Multiple incidents occurred when he ran for president the first time in 2016. However, the most serious incident happened in 2024 during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. While campaigning in the swing state in July 2024, Donald was shot and struck in the ear while on stage. The suspect, who killed a person in the audience, was ultimately killed by the Secret Service’s sniper team.
