US President Donald Trump reacted sharply during an interview after a shooting scare linked to the White House Correspondents' Dinner, lashing out at a journalist for quoting from the alleged manifesto of the suspect.
Clash during interview
Speaking to Norah O'Donnell of CBS News, Trump initially struck a measured tone while discussing the incident. However, the exchange escalated when the reporter cited a line from the manifesto attributed to suspect Cole Tomas Allen.
"I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would, because you're horrible people. Horrible people," Trump said.
"Yeah, he did write that. I'm not a rapist. I didn't rape anybody," he added.
When asked a follow-up question, Trump continued, "I'm not a paedophile."
He further criticised the decision to quote the document, saying, "You read that crap from some sick person? I got associated with all -- the stuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated."
'Pretty sick guy'
Referring to the suspect, Trump said, "I read a manifesto. He's radicalised. He was a Christian--a believer--and then he became an anti-Christian... He was probably a pretty sick guy."
Authorities have said the 31-year-old California man allegedly attempted to breach security at the venue while armed. Multiple rounds were fired before he was subdued inside the hotel complex, close to where the dinner was taking place.
Security response and aftermath
Trump said he was not alarmed during the incident. "I understand life. We live in a crazy world."
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He also spoke about the evacuation process, noting he delayed leaving the area. "I wanted to see what was happening, and I wasn't making it that easy for 'em. I wanted to see what was going on...I was surrounded by great people. And I probably made them act a little bit more slowly. I said, 'Wait a minute, wait a minute. Lemme see. Wait a minute'," he said.
He added that he "really" wanted to return to the event after the disruption.
