Trump jokes WHCD shooting scare ‘caused Nicki Minaj to start twerking’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump revisited the April shooting scare that disrupted the White House Correspondents' Dinner (WHCD), joking about the chaotic moments when guests took cover after gunshots were heard outside the ballroom.

Speaking at the rescheduled WHCD on Thursday, July 24, Trump mixed jokes about the earlier incident with remarks about the annual event and his presidency. The April dinner was interrupted after a gunman opened fire near a security checkpoint outside the Washington Hilton, prompting guests to shelter in place before the event was eventually canceled.

Trump jokes about WHCD shooting scare during dinner speech

During his speech, Trump recalled the confusion inside the ballroom as attendees reacted to reports of gunfire outside.

"After hearing the gun shots, many people yelled, 'Get down! Get down!' which caused Nicki Minaj to start twerking. Do you believe it? Get down!" Trump said.

The president followed the remark by adding, "She's the only one that really understood what that meant."

The joke drew laughter from parts of the audience, many of whom had attended the April dinner that was disrupted by the shooting scare.

Trump also poked fun at the evening itself after watching journalists receive awards for reporting on his administration.

"This has not been an easy evening. All these awards," he joked. "Do I have a say in those awards? Oh, those awards."

Trump jokes about second term during rescheduled WHCD event

Trump continued with a series of lighter remarks as the dinner resumed months after the postponed event.

"Just like my presidency, the second time is always better. It's always better. And the third time will be better yet," he said before quickly adding, "I'm only kidding."

The comments came weeks after Trump praised rapper Nicki Minaj during a White House event, calling her "so hot," "so respected" and "such a great friend of common sense."

The rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner marked the association's return after the April shooting scare, with Trump attending alongside administration officials, lawmakers and members of the press corps.

Before Trump's speech, White House Correspondents' Association President Weijia Jiang said the event demonstrated that the press corps "will not be intimidated" and "refuse to let an act of violence have the final word."

The gathering marked the return of the annual dinner after the April incident forced organizers to cancel the original event.