The In And Out Crowd

Donald Trump had entered to “Hail to the Chief” and was situated on the stage. It was his first time attending as president. Waiters were clearing salad plates. A banner over the stage read “Celebrating the first amendment.” Then, The Washington Post reports, “loud popping sounds” came from the lobby: “I thought it was a tray going down,” Trump would say later. For the third time in less than two years, Trump found himself under the threat of gunfire. Hundreds of people — table after table — dove to the floor, reporters huddling next to Trump officials and other dinner guests, some draped by white linen tablecloths, others pressed up against the ballroom’s walls. “Get down, get down!” someone yelled out. At the front of the room, Secret Service officers first rushed Vice President JD Vance off the stage, then Trump a few seconds later. Other officials in the line of succession, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, were quickly whisked away, too. Men in tuxes and women in gowns ducked to the floor.