Karoline Leavitt, former White House press secretary, shared new insights into President Donald Trump’s reaction following the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner shooting incident in April. During an episode of Hang Out with Sean Hannity, Leavitt described Trump’s urgency to return to the ballroom despite the chaos.

“He was like a caged lion backstage, roaring to get back out there,” Leavitt remarked.

Trump’s determination was evident as he pressured the Secret Service to let him rejoin the event. Leavitt expressed doubts, considering the situation unsettled.

The 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, initially set for April 25 at the Washington Hilton, was rescheduled due to a security breach by an alleged gunman. The incident occurred soon after the event began, leading to Trump’s and Vice President JD Vance’s quick evacuation.

The suspect, Cole Allen from Torrance, California, was captured by Secret Service agents. His manifesto revealed intentions to target Trump administration officials, excluding FBI Director Kash Patel.

As guests sought cover, Trump displayed willingness to wait until the event could resume. His eagerness for a public statement was apparent.

“Trump really was asking hard questions of his detail, saying, ‘I will wait all night,'” Leavitt stated.

The incident sharpened focus on Trump’s proposal to construct a ballroom at the White House for safer events. After the shooting, Trump held a press conference, providing details about the incident alongside his administration.

Leavitt’s complete interview will be available on platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple soon.