President Donald Trump used the disruption of Saturday's White House Correspondents' Dinner by gunfire to renew his push for a new ballroom at the White House, arguing that the current venue lacks the security features required in a dangerous era.
Speaking to reporters in the White House press briefing room shortly after the incident, Trump said the shooting—which forced him, First Lady Melania Trump, and Cabinet members to evacuate the Washington Hilton—demonstrates why the administration's planned ballroom is essential.
“I didn’t want to say this but this is why we have to have all of the attributes of what we’re planning at the White House. It’s actually a larger room, and it’s much more secure,” Trump said. “It’s drone proof. It’s bulletproof glass. We need the ballroom. That’s why Secret Service, that’s why the military are demanding it.”
The president claimed the ballroom project has been sought for 150 years, but said Saturday's events give it new urgency. “Today is a little bit different because today we need levels of security that nobody has ever seen before,” he added.
Trump has previously described the ballroom as part of a massive military complex, though he provided no further details until Saturday. The suspect images released after the WHCD shooting showed a man sprinting through a security checkpoint, prompting law enforcement to open fire.
Police confirmed a suspect was taken into custody after exchanging gunfire with officers. Antony Guglielmi, Secret Service chief of communications, said in a statement: “The U.S. Secret Service, in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department, is investigating a shooting incident near the main magnetometer screening area at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The president and the first lady are safe along with all protectees. One individual is in custody. The condition of those involved is not yet known, and law enforcement is actively assessing the situation.”
The evacuation upended the annual dinner, which typically draws journalists, politicians, and celebrities. Reactions from allies and foes alike poured in as the White House worked to control the narrative. Trump later praised the media and the White House Correspondents' Association chief for their handling of the crisis, according to a subsequent statement.
Critics quickly questioned whether the president was exploiting a security incident to advance a pet project. The ballroom proposal has faced skepticism from historians and preservationists, who argue it would alter the historic character of the White House. But Trump insisted the military and Secret Service have long demanded the upgrade, and that Saturday's shooting proves they are right.
“They wanted the ballroom for 150 years for lots of different reasons but today is a little bit different,” Trump said. “Today we need levels of security that nobody has ever seen before.”
