UFC CEO Dana White shared a bizarre first-hand account of the post-shooting scene outside the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday.
White, in an interview with USA Todayrecalled tables being “flipped” as police stormed in and told attendees — including President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and Cabinet members — to “come down.”
“I didn’t come down. It was fucking amazing. I literally took every minute of it and it was a pretty crazy, unique experience,” said White, who sat in front of the main table with the president, his vice president, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and others.
Video is circulating on social media shows White, a Trump supporter whose company will host a fight on the South Lawn of the White House in less than two months, with his mouth open as he bobs his head around like an owl as he remains seated.
In the background, armed men can be seen watching the Washington Hilton ballroom from the stage. Trump and first lady Melania Trump were among those moments earlier taken from the stage by members of the US Secret Service.
White, who seemed puzzled by the scene, did not heed the call to “get down” while a majority of the guests in the room were watching under their tables or close to the floor.
White told USA Today that law enforcement’s response initially led him to believe the shooter was near his table.
Officials have not yet publicly identified a suspect in the shooting, but have taken one man into custody.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that the gunman — who had checked into the hotel as a guest and was believed to have traveled to the event from California — tried to storm the ballroom to attack Trump officials.
Critics on social media took issue with White’s wild account of the shooting, including a UFC broadcaster on who wondered if this was the “best quote to give after a shooting.”
