WASHINGTON, D.C. — US President Donald Trump was rushed offstage on Saturday night after gunshots were heard near the venue of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, triggering panic among hundreds of guests gathered at the Washington Hilton.
The incident occurred shortly after the black-tie event began at around 8:30 p.m., with attendees reporting multiple gunshots near the ballroom entrance. Secret Service agents swiftly entered the packed hall as guests dropped to the floor and sought cover under tables. President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance were immediately escorted to safety.
Speaking later at a media briefing at the White House, Trump confirmed he was unharmed and praised the swift response of security personnel.
“They acted quickly and bravely,” he said, commending the Secret Service and law enforcement officers involved.
Authorities said a suspect, who was armed with a shotgun, handgun, and several knives, attempted to approach the ballroom entrance before being apprehended by Secret Service officers. A federal agent stationed outside the ballroom was reportedly shot in the vest during the confrontation and was taken to hospital, where Trump said he was “doing great.”
Muriel Bowser later confirmed that both the suspect and the injured officer were receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Police revealed that the suspect was registered as a guest at the hotel and has since been charged with two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. Officials have not yet disclosed a motive.
Despite the chaos, Trump initially urged organizers to continue with the evening’s programme, saying he wanted to “let the show go on.” However, law enforcement officials shut the event down at approximately 9:40 p.m. for security reasons.
The President later announced that the correspondents’ dinner would be rescheduled within the next 30 days.
“We’re not going to let anyone cancel our society,” Trump told reporters.
The annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner is a longstanding tradition celebrating press freedom in the United States. This year marked Trump’s first attendance at the event as sitting president.
The ballroom had hosted thousands of journalists, political leaders, and business executives. Among those evacuated were Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FBI Director Kash Patel, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The security scare revived memories of the 1981 assassination attempt on former President Ronald Reagan, which also occurred at the Washington Hilton.
Saturday’s incident comes amid heightened political tensions and follows a previous assassination attempt on Trump during the 2024 campaign trail in Butler, where a bullet grazed his ear.
Addressing reporters, Trump described politics as “a dangerous profession” and said investigators were still working to determine the suspect’s intentions.
The President added that the incident would not deter him from his administration’s international agenda, saying it would not stop him from “winning the war in Iran.”
As investigations continue, authorities have pledged a full review of security arrangements surrounding high-profile public events in the nation’s capital.
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