US President Donald Trump clashed with a journalist during a televised interview after being questioned about the gunman’s manifesto linked to the White House Correspondents’ dinner shooting. The exchange turned heated as Trump rejected accusations referenced in the document, calling them false and lashing out at the reporter.
Also read: What DC shooter’s manifesto reveals about gala attack
The clash unfolded during a televised interview when journalist Norah O’Donnell read excerpts from a document allegedly written by the suspect, who opened fire at the Washington Hilton hotel during Saturday night’s high-profile event. The manifesto described “administration officials” as targets and included a line referring to a “pedophile, rapist, and traitor”.
“I was waiting for you to read that… because you’re horrible people,” Trump said, before rejecting the claims outright. “I’m not a rapist… I didn’t rape anybody.” When pressed on whether the remarks were aimed at him, he cut in: “I’m not a pedophile… You read that crap from some sick person? I was totally exonerated.”
The exchange quickly escalated, with Trump accusing the interviewer of amplifying the words of a “sick person” and calling the line of questioning a “disgrace”. He insisted the manifesto should not be given airtime, even as investigators examine it for clues about the attacker’s motives.
Authorities say the suspect, a California man, had been staying at the hotel for days and had scoped out the venue. Notes recovered from him criticised what he described as lax security, questioning the absence of tighter surveillance and armed presence. Officials believe he intended to target senior members of the administration, raising fears of a broader assassination attempt.
The shooting triggered panic inside the ballroom, where hundreds of political figures, journalists and guests had gathered. Secret Service agents rushed Trump off stage as gunfire was reported one floor above, with attendees diving under tables for cover. The suspect was quickly apprehended after a brief exchange of fire.
Trump later played down the personal danger he faced. “I wasn’t worried. We live in a crazy world,” he said, adding that he initially hesitated to leave because he wanted to see what was happening. He admitted this may have slowed agents trying to secure him.
While condemning the attacker as “mentally sick”, Trump also pointed to online radicalisation, suggesting the internet had contributed to extremism. He further claimed the suspect held anti-Trump and anti-Christian views.
A day before the event, a protest targeting Donald Trump took place in Washington, DC. A projection of archival footage showing Trump with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein was cast onto the Washington Hilton, the event venue, drawing public attention to their past association.
Visible to guests and passers-by, the display intensified scrutiny at a moment of heightened media focus. The accompanying message criticised the partial release and heavy redaction of Epstein-related files, alleging a cover-up.
