Fact Check: Did Trump withdraw from conference as protesters approached the White House?
WASHINGTON, DC: Following the country-wide ‘No Kings’ protest against President Donald Trump, a video began circulating on social media platforms, claiming to show the president walking out in between a press conference as the protesters approached the White House. Let us analyze the viral video and fact-check the claim and authenticity.
Claim: Trump left conference as protesters approached White House
The clip shows Trump being stopped between a conference and being escorted out of the room by an official.
The clip is shared with the claim that protesters approached the White House and gunshots were heard outside following the largest protests in American history against his policies.
The clip, which was shared by multiple accounts on X, has garnered millions of views, sparking criticisms against the ‘No Kings’ protest, while many others questioned the authenticity of the claim.
Fact Check: Misrepresented, Donald Trump's video is from 2020
The claim is not true, as no such incident has been reported as of March 30. Moreover, the video is from August 10, 2020, when Trump was escorted out of a press briefing due to a shooting outside the White House.
The incident was reported by several news media outlets, including CNN and BBC. Trump returned to the briefing room minutes later, confirming a shooting.
“There was a shooting outside of the White House, and it seems to be very well under control. I’d like to thank the Secret Service for doing their always quick and very effective work,” Trump said when he returned.
At the time, the Secret Service said in a statement that the incident had begun when a 51-year-old man approached a Secret Service Officer at 17th Street Northwest and Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest near the White House.
'No Kings' protest erupts across the country
The video surfaced as Thousands of protesters gathered across the United States during the latest 'No Kings' demonstrations aimed at President Donald Trump and his administration.
Rallies took place in major cities, including New York, Washington, Los Angeles, and hundreds of smaller communities, with participants criticizing policies on immigration, the Iran conflict, and executive power.
Organizers said more than 3,000 events were planned nationwide, making it one of the largest coordinated protest days in recent US political history.
The 'No Kings' movement, which began in 2025, frames its protests around opposition to what activists call excessive executive authority.
The movement has also expanded internationally, with events planned in countries including Iceland, Kenya, Ecuador, and Canada.