Leavitt praises Trump as fearless during WHCD shooting scare: 'Willing to put his own life on line'

WASHINGTON, DC: Karoline Leavitt praised President Donald Trump for his “calm” and “fearless” response during the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 25. Her remarks came as new details emerged about the chaotic evacuation that unfolded after gunfire was reported near the venue.

Trump, who was escorted out by Secret Service agents, later acknowledged that his own actions may have slowed the evacuation process, as he tried to assess what was happening before leaving the area.

Karoline Leavitt recounts WHCD shooting chaos

Leavitt, who was seated near Trump and the first lady during the incident, described the moment shots were fired and the swift response by security personnel.

“As you know, I was seated next to President Trump and the first lady when the shots were fired before Secret Service swiftly moved us to safety backstage,” she said.

“The president’s calm in the face of chaos, while yet another individual was trying to take his life, was really remarkable to witness, and it’s something I will never forget.”

Leavitt praised Trump’s leadership and willingness to face danger, crediting his commitment to the country.

“President Trump is fearless because he loves this country, and he is willing to put his own life on the line to deliver on the promises that he made to the American public who elected him here into the highest office in the land.”

“And while we are blessed to have a fearless president, we should not live in a country where such constant fear of political violence permeates our society ever single day.”

Trump admits delaying evacuation during WHCD shooting

In an interview with Norah O'Donnell, Trump admitted that his curiosity during the incident may have delayed the Secret Service response.

“Well, what happened is-- it was a little bit me. I wanted to see what was happening, and I wasn't making it that easy for 'em. I wanted to see what was going on,” he said.

“And by that time we started to realize maybe it was a bad problem, different kind of a problem, bad one. And different from what would be normal noise from a ballroom, which you hear all the time. And-- I was surrounded by great people. And I probably made them act a little bit more slowly. I said, ‘Wait a minute, wait a minute. Lemme see. Wait a minute.’”

Trump said he initially remained standing before following instructions from agents as the situation escalated.

“I was standing up-- pretty much. I was standing up and then turned around in the opposite direction and started pretty much walking out pretty tall, a little bent over because they-- you know, I'm not lookin' to be standing too tall. And-- but I was walking out. I was pretty-- about halfway there when they said, ‘Please go down to the floor. Please go down to the floor.’ So I dropped to the floor. So did the first lady,” he added.

Officials hail Secret Service response during WHCD shooting

Authorities later identified the suspect as Cole Allen, who allegedly targeted administration officials. Officials said the Secret Service and law enforcement acted quickly to prevent further harm.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche praised the response, saying security systems functioned as intended.

“The system worked; law enforcement and the Secret Service protected all of us. The man barely got past the perimeter. And so when you have a perimeter designed to keep people safe, like President Trump, and it works - that's something that should be applauded," he said in a televised interview.