Washington DC: President Donald Trump was rushed off stage by Secret Service agents and other high-ranking U.S. leaders were evacuated from the Washington Hilton on Saturday night, April 25, 2026, after shots were fired during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The President was uninjured, though eyewitnesses noted he briefly tripped while being escorted away during the chaos. One law enforcement officer was struck in their bullet-resistant vest but is expected to survive.
The incident occurred near the main magnetometer screening area outside the ballroom as the event was getting underway. Attendees, including prominent journalists, celebrities, and cabinet members like Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, were seen ducking under tables as heavily armed agents swarmed the hall with guns drawn. Reports from the scene indicated that five to eight “loud bangs” were heard, followed by shouts of “shots fired” and “stay down.”
Official Response and Status
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Suspect in Custody: The Secret Service confirmed that one individual was apprehended shortly after the incident near the security checkpoint. The FBI’s Washington field office is currently leading the investigation.
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Trump’s Statement: In a post on Truth Social at 9:17 p.m. ET, President Trump praised the Secret Service and law enforcement for acting “quickly and bravely.” While he initially recommended that the “show go on,” the event was ultimately scrapped.
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Event Scrapped: Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, confirmed that everyone in the ballroom was safe but announced the evening would be rescheduled. Staff were seen dismantling the presidential lectern and table settings shortly after the room was secured.
Context of the Evening
This marked the first time Donald Trump attended the dinner during his second term, following a history of boycotting the event during his first presidency. The atmosphere, which was already described as “intense and complicated” due to the administration’s relationship with the press, turned into one of pure survival as the ballroom echoed with gasps and a spontaneous chant of “God Bless America” during the evacuation.
