Extended interview: President Trump on White House Correspondents' Dinner
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Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Trump believes assassination attempts target 'consequential presidents' who make significant changes, not just controversial ones.
- ❖He describes the chaotic scene at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, including his initial resistance to Secret Service evacuation commands.
- ❖A new, highly secure, bulletproof ballroom is under construction on White House grounds to host future presidential events, addressing vulnerabilities of external venues.
- ❖Trump strongly criticizes the media, specifically 60 Minutes, for reading excerpts from the gunman's manifesto, calling them 'horrible people' and 'a disgrace'.
- ❖He attributes political violence and radicalization more to the 'far-left' and 'hate speech of the Democrats', citing groups like 'No Kings' and 'Southern Law'.
- ❖Despite the attack, Trump observed a surprising moment of unity and camaraderie among Democrats and Republicans in the ballroom aftermath.
Insights
1Consequential Presidents as Assassination Targets
Trump asserts that presidents who are 'consequential' and 'do things' are historically targeted for assassination. He cites Abraham Lincoln and William McKinley as examples of presidents who were assassinated after making the country 'very rich' or enacting significant changes. He implies his own actions, such as 'turning the country around' and decisive foreign policy, make him a target.
Trump states, 'They go after consequential presidents. They go after presidents that do things. If you look at what I've done, we've turned this country around.' He references Lincoln and McKinley. He also mentions actions like winning a 'skirmish' with Venezuela, being in Iran, and the killing of Soleimani.
2Desire to Continue Event After Attack
Despite being evacuated after the shooting, Trump expressed a strong desire to return to the White House Correspondents' Dinner and continue the event. He believed canceling it would allow a 'criminal or sick person' to 'attack our constitution' and 'change events that are important'. He was prepared to deliver a 'much different speech' focused on unity.
Trump states, 'I tried to get them to continue the event if possible. I did. I really did because I don't like to have a criminal or sick person... essentially attacking our constitution, attacking our country, uh changing events that are, you know, it's an important event.' He adds, 'I would have had to just get up and say, "I love you all."'
3New Secure Ballroom Project
Trump reveals that a new, highly secure ballroom is under construction on the White House grounds, specifically designed to mitigate security risks like the one experienced at the Correspondents' Dinner. This facility will feature bulletproof glass, advanced security equipment, and a single, strong entrance, contrasting with the vulnerabilities of external hotel ballrooms with multiple access points.
Trump states, 'I'm building a safe ballroom. And one of the reasons I'm building it is exactly what happened last night.' He describes it as 'being built on the safest piece of property in this country... This has bulletproof glass. This has, you know, this is the highest level of security.' He contrasts it with hotels having 'a thousand hotel rooms above the ballroom'.
4Critique of Media and Political Opponents
Trump harshly criticizes the interviewer and 60 Minutes for reading excerpts from the gunman's manifesto, which contained derogatory accusations against him. He labels them 'horrible people' and 'a disgrace' for amplifying what he considers false and malicious claims. He also broadly attributes political violence and 'hate speech' to the 'far-left' and Democrats, accusing groups like 'Southern Law' of funding radical organizations.
Upon the interviewer reading from the manifesto, Trump responds, 'Well, I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would because you're you're horrible people. Horrible people... You shouldn't be reading that on 60 Minutes. You're a disgrace.' He later states, 'I think the ones that are doing that are much more far-left than far right... I do think that the hate speech of the Democrats, much more so, is is very dangerous.'
Lessons
- Understand the perspective that significant political action can increase personal risk for leaders, prompting a re-evaluation of security protocols.
- Recognize the potential for unexpected moments of unity during crises, even among deeply divided political factions.
- Consider the evolving nature of security threats in the digital age, where online radicalization can lead to real-world violence, necessitating adaptive security and intelligence strategies.
Notable Moments
Trump describes his initial reaction to the gunshot, hoping it was a 'tray of dishes' and his reluctance to be quickly evacuated by security, wanting to assess the situation himself.
This reveals his personal demeanor and leadership style during a crisis, prioritizing observation over immediate self-preservation, which he admits might have slowed down his security detail.
Trump recounts a surprising moment of camaraderie and 'love in the room' after the attack, where even political opponents approached him with support and appreciation.
This highlights how shared traumatic experiences can temporarily bridge deep political divides, fostering unexpected human connection and unity.
Quotes
"They go after consequential presidents. They go after presidents that do things."
"You shouldn't be reading that on 60 Minutes. You're a disgrace."
"I don't like to have a criminal or sick person... essentially attacking our constitution, attacking our country, uh changing events that are, you know, it's an important event."
"There was love in the room. It was amazing. There was love in the room."
Q&A
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