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🇫🇷 France /Conflict & Security

«The Fear, We All Felt It»: Journalist Laurence Haïm Testifies After Shots Heard During Dinner with Donald Trump

From Le Figaro · (15m ago) French Critical tone

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A gunman attempted to force entry into the White House Correspondents' Dinner, where President Trump was attending.
  • Shots were fired, and a law enforcement officer was injured but protected by a bulletproof vest.
  • Journalist Laurence Haïm described the fear and uncertainty among attendees during the incident.

The chilling incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, where shots rang out and attendees, including President Trump, were forced to take cover, has sent ripples of fear through Washington's media and political circles. BFMTV's special correspondent, Laurence Haïm, shared a harrowing account of the moments of terror, emphasizing the palpable anxiety that gripped the room.

The fear, we all felt it.

— Laurence HaïmDescribing the emotional impact of the shooting incident on attendees.

Haïm recounted the immediate reaction: "As soon as we heard the gunshots, we understood something was happening." She noted the chilling silence that followed, broken only by shouts of "USA, USA," highlighting the stunned disbelief and fear. The experience was particularly unnerving given President Trump's history of facing threats, a reality that weighs heavily on those who cover him and the political landscape.

As soon as we heard the gunshots, we understood that something was happening.

— Laurence HaïmRecounting the immediate realization of danger during the dinner.

This event serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with high-profile political gatherings in the United States. The proximity of such threats to the heart of American power underscores the constant state of alert required to protect public figures and maintain order. For journalists like Haïm, who are on the front lines of political reporting, such incidents are not abstract news items but deeply personal experiences that underscore the dangers of their profession.

When you cover President Trump, well, you know that he has already been the victim of two attempted attacks against him.

— Laurence HaïmExplaining the heightened sense of awareness and fear due to the President's past security threats.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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