Melania Trump Was "Traumatized" by the Correspondents' Dinner Shooting While Trump Thought He Heard a Tray Falling

President Donald Trump revealed that a recent shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner was a "traumatic experience" for First Lady Melania Trump.

"It was a rather traumatic experience for her," the president said at a press conference at the White House following the incident.

To recap the events of Saturday night, April 25, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi confirmed there was "a shooting incident near the main magnetometer screening area at the White House Correspondents' Dinner".

During the aforementioned news conference, the suspect, identified as Cole Thomas Allen, a California Institute of Technology graduate from Torrance, "armed with multiple weapons."

Interim Washington, D.C., police chief Jeffery Carroll later confirmed that Allen was "armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives."

Trump said the suspect was "taken down by some very brave members of the Secret Service" who "acted very quickly."

When a reporter asked him about what was going through his mind during the shooting, the president said he mistook the gunfire for the sound of a falling tray before the first lady alerted him to what was happening. The first lady was "very cognizant" and "knew immediately what happened," Trump said.

"There wasn't a lot of time to be thinking because it was a matter of seconds before we were out the door and gone into an area," the president said, adding, "I was hoping it was a tray, but it wasn't, and again, we had some very brave people doing a great job. So, we're very proud of them and happy with them. I just want to thank everybody they will be able to give you all that information."

President Trump was immediately escorted from the ballroom as the incident unfolded at about 8:36 p.m. Additionally, Vice President JD Vance, the first lady and press secretary Karoline Leavitt, among others, were evacuated safely.

"Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we 'LET THE SHOW GO ON' but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again," the president wrote in a Truth Social post following the incident.

Trump also said that although no Cabinet members were hurt, an officer was shot and the bullet hit his bulletproof vest. According to a source cited by NBC News, the officer was later discharged from the hospital.

"One officer was shot but saved by the fact that he was wearing a obviously a very good bulletproof vest. He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job. I just spoke to the officer, and he's doing great. He's great shape. He has very high spirits, and we told him we love him and respect him, and he's a very proud guy. He's very proud of what he does," said Trump.