Trump safe after being rushed from White House correspondents dinner, shooter in custody - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxQVHUxRzhYUFVlcW1OQktGLTlzTjg0bU4zazNSbnZCQ1Q5ak9YTmxwT1VEWDdxY29Kb1dpV2xKMmp2d1IwdUV3WWl6ejJIT2RiTlYwQndFY3cyX2NMc0dZTjdMTUhpRkVSR2I0MVE1ZmpxUmlibzk4OUh2aGFBY1Q5elg3NEt6Sm9DLXNiVThOeEZISzhBYnRIekR3NUdyUzljYWFwVDVMVGNpakp4SDVFc3RyVQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump safe after being rushed from White House correspondents dinner, shooter in custody</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

President Trump condemned a shooting attack at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and emphasized the need for improved security and a new White House ballroom. The incident involved a suspect armed with a shotgun who attempted to breach security and fired several shots before being taken into custody. Trump, who was attending the dinner for the first time after skipping the event during his first term, was rushed from the venue for safety. He linked the attack to earlier threats on his life and called on Americans to resolve their differences peacefully.

On Saturday night, the White House Correspondents' Dinner (WHCD) was abruptly canceled after a suspected shooting incident outside the event at the Washington Hilton. President Trump was quickly evacuated by the Secret Service when a gunman reportedly attempted to breach security and fired at agents. The suspect was detained following the gunfire. Armed Secret Service agents secured the ballroom, leading to confusion and chaos among attendees. Representative Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) described the scene as chaotic, with a loud noise followed by officials rushing in. President Trump is expected to issue a statement from the White House. Initially, WHCA Chair Weijia Jiang hoped the event could resume, but later confirmed its cancellation at the request of law enforcement. Trump also shared details of the incident on Truth Social. The situation is still unfolding, with new details emerging.

On the evening of April 25, 2026, a shooting disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton, spurring panic among the more than 2,000 attendees, including top government officials and journalists. As a military band exited and guests began dining, gunfire erupted near the ballroom's north side, prompting security agents to shout for everyone to take cover. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, initially on stage, were swiftly evacuated along with Vice President J.D. Vance. Eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple "pop" sounds and seeing Secret Service agents respond quickly, dragging guests to safety and apprehending individuals. The chaos unfolded in the same hotel where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. The incident occurred near a security screening area in a lower lobby. The Secret Service later confirmed one suspect was in custody and that all protectees, including the president and first lady, were unharmed. Trump later assured the public via social media of his and his team’s safety and pledged to reschedule the event. Emergency personnel, including helicopters and ambulances, surrounded the hotel. The story remains under investigation.

On April 25, 2026, a shooting incident occurred outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton, prompting the evacuation of President Donald Trump and other top U.S. leaders. The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, was armed with multiple weapons and was taken into custody by the FBI. A Secret Service officer was shot but protected by a bulletproof vest. The sudden chaos caused guests to duck for cover, and National Guard units quickly secured the area. Though the event was initially expected to resume post-evacuation, it was ultimately canceled and will be rescheduled. The dinner marked Trump's first appearance at the event during his presidency, highlighting his complex relationship with the press. Security at the venue was traditionally focused on the dinner itself, causing concerns over vulnerabilities in public areas of the hotel. The event featured mentalist Oz Pearlman rather than the usual comedic performance. The incident brought heightened attention to ongoing threats faced by public officials and further intensified discussions on the security of high-profile gatherings.

Shortly before gunfire erupted at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C., White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made a chilling remark predicting “shots fired tonight” while speaking to reporters about President Donald Trump's upcoming speech. The comment took on an eerie tone minutes later when gunshots were reported at the Washington Hilton, prompting the Secret Service to evacuate Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and several top officials, including Vice President JD Vance and other Cabinet members. The event, held in the same location as the 1981 attempt on President Reagan’s life, saw an individual apprehended near the main screening area. No immediate injuries or fatalities have been confirmed. Trump later praised the swift actions of the Secret Service and indicated in a Truth Social post that he was open to continuing the event, depending on law enforcement's decision. Weijia Jiang, President of the Correspondents' Association, announced that the dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days. This marks the second time in two years that Trump has been evacuated due to a shooting-related incident at a public event.

A shooting incident at the 2026 White House Correspondents' Association dinner raised concerns about security measures, as the suspect managed to bypass initial security layers.

President Trump was safely evacuated from the White House Correspondents' Dinner following a shooting incident outside the ballroom; the suspect is in custody.

President Trump was evacuated from the White House Correspondents' Dinner after a shooting incident; he later commented on the dangers of the presidency and praised law enforcement.