Trump jokes Vance was carried ‘like a boy’ in WHCD attack: ‘Didn’t lift me so fast’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump revisited the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting scare and turned the tense episode into a joke about Vice President JD Vance, saying Secret Service agents rushed him out “like a little boy.”

Speaking at a Rose Garden event on Wednesday, May 11, Trump praised security personnel for their handling of the April incident while recalling how quickly officials moved to evacuate top officials from the ballroom.

The remarks came during an event focused on honoring law enforcement and Secret Service personnel, but Trump briefly shifted to recount the chaotic night outside the Washington Hilton during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Trump praises Secret Service response during WHCD shooting scare

Trump credited Secret Service leadership for acting quickly during the security scare and said the response reflected well on their performance.

“And I thought you did a great job two weeks ago. You know why? Because I'm here. Okay. We consider being here a success,” Trump said.

He then described watching agents move Vice President JD Vance out of the room within seconds as the situation unfolded.

“And they came out and within seconds I saw them take JD by the shoulders and lift him up like he was a little boy,” Trump said.

“I said, ‘How come they didn't lift me up so fast?’ They lifted JD, got ripped out of the chair. That was a That was a view of the week. But uh they did the job, JD, right? I think so,” he added.

Chaos during White House Correspondents’ Dinner evacuation

The incident occurred on April 25 during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton hotel when gunfire was reported outside the venue.

Authorities said said Cole Tomas Allen approached a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons before shots were fired nearby, triggering panic inside the ballroom.

Secret Service agents immediately moved to evacuate President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President Vance, and other officials as attendees were instructed to take cover.

Video from the scene showed agents quickly escorting Vance out of the ballroom while Trump initially remained seated before being moved out shortly after.

Trump earlier described delay in evacuation during '60 Minutes'

Trump had previously addressed the evacuation sequence during a CBS News interview on '60 Minutes', saying he initially slowed his exit because he wanted to understand what was happening.

“Well, what happened is, it was a little bit me,” Trump said.

“I wanted to see what was happening, and I wasn't making it that easy for them. I wanted to see what was going on,” he added.

Trump also recalled being instructed by Secret Service agents to get down as the situation escalated and the seriousness of the threat became clear.