How the aborted gala for White House journalists unfolded
“Shots fired!” Those were the words that prompted White House journalists, lobbyists, political staffers and top members of the Trump administration to hunker down under desks on what was supposed to be a night for Washington’s media and political class.
The stage is set for an exciting, record-breaking evening. Donald Trump, who has never attended the event as president, was next to the first lady at a long table in front of the Hilton Hotel ballroom. Just a few minutes ago, one of his employees was telling me how excited he was to give his traditionally comedic speech. A lot of time and effort went into creating something unforgettable.
It wasn’t supposed to happen. The evening had just begun – guests had been told to sit down for dinner – when gunshots rang out from the ballroom. Trump later said it sounded like the clattering of a tray.
But to reporter Juan Merlano, it sounded like a gunshot.
“Dinner had not started yet and we heard gunshots similar to explosions,” said the Colombian TV reporter. “I heard it from inside the room, but we knew it was right outside. Someone said ‘shots fired, shots fired’. Then everyone went under the table. People were screaming and no one knew what was going to happen.
“The Secret Service entered the ballroom, heavily armed. The police also entered. They took the President, took him out, and began searching each of the Cabinet members at the tables.”
Merlano, like many other journalists, got out as soon as possible. Not necessarily out of instinct, but because they’re reporters and have to file copies and videos of this massive breaking news story — and phone reception in the Hilton’s underground ballroom is notoriously bad.
Fox News’ Peter Doocy was broadcasting live from the same column while others awaited word on whether the event would go ahead. Trump soon posted on social media: Although he wanted to go back inside, the Secret Service was against it.
Instead, he would return to the White House and hold a live press conference in just 30 minutes. Reporters lined up downtown, some running along 18th Street. Trump flew away with lightning speed; A reporter from the daily press pool traveling with the president said it was “the fastest motorcade I’ve ever been in.”
As always with breaking news, early reporters were contradicting each other about what was happening. CNN initially reported that the attacker was dead; The Secret Service quickly said he had indeed been captured. Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from California, spent the night in custody. Trump said he was caught with more than one gun.
Although the attacker’s dash towards the ballroom was brazen and shocking, it appears that the security apparatus, which is massive at such functions, ultimately did its job.
At the White House, Trump looked unimpressed, still wearing his tuxedo. He dryly stated that this wasn’t his first time.
The president was adamant that he would not allow another apparently politically motivated act of violence to change the way he does his job or lives his life. He said these “crazy people” would not be allowed to “change the fabric of our lives.” “We will not cancel jobs”
In fact, his main message was that the show would go on, the dinner would be rescheduled in 30 days, and he would be there.
He also took the time to praise the spirit of unity and camaraderie that was evident in the room before the disruption.
“There were Republicans, Democrats, independents, conservatives, liberals and progressives,” Trump said. “There was tremendous love and coming together. I was very, very touched by it.”
No doubt the US president will soon be back to attacking fake news and arguing with journalists.
But not tonight. Tonight they seemed to be victims of an all-too-familiar pattern in America, and they are no closer to changing it.
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Michael Koziol is the North America correspondent for The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Sydney editor, Sun-Herald deputy editor and a federal political correspondent in Canberra.Connect with: X or email.
