‘Sense of disbelief’: how White House press dinner attack unfolded – The Latest

In this episode of The Latest from The Guardian, hosts Lucy Hough and David Smith discuss a recent shooting incident at the White House Correspondence Gala. David Smith, who attended the event, describes the chaotic scene as guests took cover after loud bangs were heard. Amidst the confusion, security personnel quickly evacuated President Trump and other officials.

The suspect, identified as Cole Thomas Allen, had been staying at the hotel where the dinner took place, raising serious questions about security protocols that allowed him to bypass some safety measures and get close to the event. Allen had expressed disdain for the Trump administration in a manifesto sent just minutes before the attack. The episode touches on Trump's response, portraying it as a political opportunity to emphasize the need for tighter security, while raising concerns about the rising political violence in the United States and its normalization.

The podcast engages with broader themes of political violence during the Trump era, indicating that the troubling events at the gala reflect a national issue facing many Americans, especially at gatherings and public events.