Saturday night (April 25th) was the White House Correspondents Dinner. The event, sometimes referred to as"Nerd Prom", is a big ol' dress up affair, a gathering of journalists, politicians and celebrities to celebrate freedom of the press and have a little fun.
In the past, typically the President makes an appearance and gets in a few quips at the expense of the very reporters who hold him to account.
Barack Obama was particularly good at this event, poking fun at himself and the press corps while keeping things civil.
Donald Trump has avoided it. Like he's any good at poking fun at himself or keeping things civil.
But this year, he decided he was gonna show up.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt in a statement sought to pre-sell Li'l Donnie's appearance at the WHCD like it's some kind of wrestling match. “It’ll be funny. It’ll be entertaining. There will be some shots fired tonight in the room. So everyone should tune in. It’s going to be really great.”
The phrase "there will be some shots fired tonight" was an oddly prophetic phrase.
There were shots fired. Literally.
Dinner was being served when gunshots were fired outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton. Immediately Secret Service sprung into action to surround Donald Trump and rush him off stage. In short order, Melania, JD Vance and various Cabinet members were were also secured and removed from the scene.
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| WHCD attendees ducking under tables as the Secret Service sweep and secure the room. |
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| Agents in tactical gear securing the ballroom. |
There was some consideration if the event would resume but eventually it was decided the WHCD was over.
Trump expressed disappointment he did not get to deliver his planned speech for the event. Having spent his entire political career attacking the press with lawsuits, investigations and juvenile insults, the expectation was Trump planned to use the WHCD to offer more of the same.
What do we know about the would be assailant? He's a graduate of Caltech....
OMG! Sheldon Cooper?!?!
No, his name is Cole Tomas Allen of California, a guest at the Washington Hilton who charged at the ballroom's security perimeter armed with a shotgun, a handgun and knives.
One Secret Service agent was struck in his bullet proof vest. The shooter was subdued and captured but was not shot.
As I am posting this, nothing is known about Allen's motivations for this assault.
At the White House later, Trump spoke to reporters and commented "they say he's a lone wolf". Which gives Li'l Donnie some wiggle room to post on Truth Social later some rant that this assassination attempt is part of some diabolical plot by the deranged radical left.
Trump did make a point of emphasizing that Allen is from California. He knows what the MAGA faithful will infer from that little nugget.
By the way, Trump did use the moment to pitch for the White House ballroom, that it will be a more secure venue. (Of course he did!)
For more about Trump's spin to turn this occurence to his self centered pitch for his ballroom, here is Brian Tyler Cohen's take on last night's events.
My concerns are less over the incident itself. The Secret Service acted quickly and decisively and the assailant did not make it to the ballroom or take any shots at Trump.
I'm worried about what will come after.
I am already anticipating that Donald Trump's snivelling syncophants as well as the man himself will use this incident to fuel more anger and division. The threat will be exaggerated (at least one person will express that Trump literally dodged another bullet when there was no gunfire in the ballroom) and motives assigned to the assailant whether we know anything or not.
Whatever damage Cole Tomas Allen of California sought to inflict Saturday night, I fear the worst will happen as Trump and his cultists circle up with wild accusations and inflammatory threats.
To quote Karoline Leavitt, "there will be some shots fired".
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