Shooting at White House Correspondents' Dinner and Urgent Evacuation of Donald Trump

Shooting at White House Correspondents' Dinner and Evacuation of Donald Trump

On Saturday evening, April 25, 2026, a shooting incident occurred during the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C., prompting a swift response from the Secret Service to evacuate U.S. President Donald Trump from the event.

Gunfire Heard Inside the Dinner Hall at the Hilton Hotel

According to media reports, gunshots were heard inside the hall hosting the dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, causing panic among attendees, who rushed to take cover under tables, while security personnel surrounded the stage with their weapons drawn.

Quick Security Response and Evacuation of Trump Without Injuries

The Secret Service acted quickly to secure President Trump and escort him out of the hall, while media sources confirmed that the president was unharmed during the incident, and his wife Melania was also not injured.

Shooter Arrested at the Event Site

The U.S. Secret Service announced that one individual was taken into custody in connection with the shooting, noting that the incident occurred in the main security screening area of the event, while investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Conflicting Reports About the Shooter's Fate

Conflicting media reports indicated that the shooter was either killed in the hotel lobby or arrested, while other sources mentioned that his health status remains unclear at this time, reflecting the initial confusion surrounding such emergency incidents.

Police Secure the Hilton Hotel and Helicopters Fly Over Washington

The police established a tight security perimeter around the hotel hosting the dinner, and helicopters flew over the area as part of precautionary measures to ensure full control of the situation.

Trump's First Comment After the Shooting Incident

In his first comment about an hour after the incident, Trump announced via the "Truth Social" platform that the shooter had been apprehended, describing the night as "eventful" and praising the efforts of the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies.

Instructions to Resume the Dinner Despite the Incident

Trump confirmed that he recommended resuming the White House Correspondents' Dinner as planned, indicating his commitment to the directives of law enforcement agencies, amid assurances that the venue was now safe.

Trump Leaves the Hotel and Prepares for a Press Conference

Media reports stated that Trump left the hotel following the incident, announcing his intention to hold a press conference within 30 minutes at the White House press conference room to provide details about what transpired.

Ongoing Situation Assessment by U.S. Authorities

Security officials confirmed that investigations are still ongoing, with continued assessment of the security situation, while attendees were asked to leave the building according to established protocols in such cases.