President Trump Rushed to Safety After Reported Gunshots at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
Washington, D.C.: U.S. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other senior officials were swiftly evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday evening after multiple loud bangs resembling gunshots echoed through the venue at the Washington Hilton hotel.
The incident occurred shortly after 8:30 p.m. ET on April 25, 2026, as the annual event—attended by hundreds of journalists, politicians, celebrities, and administration officials—was underway. Attendees described hearing what sounded like three to eight gunshots, prompting immediate panic. Guests ducked under tables, while Secret Service agents drew weapons, shouted commands such as “stay down” and “shots fired,” and rapidly escorted the president and protectees from the ballroom.
Video footage and eyewitness accounts showed Trump being quickly moved off the stage and out of the room, with agents surrounding him and the first lady. The Secret Service later confirmed that the president, first lady, and all protectees were safe and unharmed. Vice President Vance and Cabinet members were also reported to be in good condition.
Law enforcement responded swiftly. Reports indicate that a gunman fired shots near or outside the ballroom area, possibly at a security screening point. The suspect was neutralized—some accounts say shot and killed by security—while another source described the individual as being taken into custody. The FBI is investigating the incident as a shooting. Details on the gunman’s identity or motive were not immediately released.
The Washington Hilton, site of the dinner, is the same hotel where President Ronald Reagan was wounded in an assassination attempt in 1981. This marked Trump’s first attendance at the correspondents’ dinner during his current term as president.
As of early Sunday morning, no injuries to attendees from the gunfire have been widely reported. The event was disrupted but the broader situation was brought under control within minutes.
President Trump later addressed the incident briefly, describing it as “quite an evening in D.C.” and noting that the shooter had been apprehended. He praised the rapid response of law enforcement.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is a long-standing Washington tradition featuring speeches, comedy, and networking between the press and political figures. This year’s gathering was overshadowed by the security scare.
Authorities continue to investigate, and further updates are expected as more details emerge from the FBI and Secret Service.
