SHOTS FIRED: Trump rushed out of White House Correspondents Dinner as gunfire erupts
President Donald Trump along with First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance were rushed out of the White House Correspondents Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday night after shots were fired outside the hotel’s ballroom.
BREAKING UPDATE: President Trump has been SAFELY EVACUATED from the White House Correspondents Dinner, per sources
You can hear shots ring out in this video
A shooter opened fire in the LOBBY — the shooter is DEAD
This is absolutely INSANE
LEFTIST VIOLENCE MUST END! pic.twitter.com/GB1eUXN8kx
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 26, 2026
One suspect who is believed to be a lone wolf is in custody, while Trump and other top government officials are safe, and the dinner called off.
BREAKING: Trump just posted security footage of the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
The Suspect was running WILD through the heavily secured corridor at the WHCD
This is insane… https://t.co/sWNGqjKL2C pic.twitter.com/K0qD0IQP9g
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 26, 2026
President Trump took to Truth Social to say: “Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again.”
He added: “Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately. I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room. The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition. We will be speaking to you in a half an hour. I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 30 days.”
Trump initially wanted to give his speech even after the shooting, telling reporters: “I was all set to really rip it. And people said this would be the most inappropriate speech if I were to give it.”
The incident occurred at 8:36 p.m., as the suspect, who was a guest at the hotel, raced on foot through a Secret Service security checkpoint armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives.
BREAKING: HEAVILY armed Secret Service agents seen RUSHING though the lobby of the Washington Hilton Hotel following SHOTS FIRED
Secret Service is now SWEEPING each room in the building.
President Trump is SAFE pic.twitter.com/96yRKBSxIi
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 26, 2026
We will provide updates as they become available and confirm information. Our teams are on the ground assessing the situation and investigating. All of our protectees are safe. pic.twitter.com/BYl6sR5WVU
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) April 26, 2026
One Secret Service officer was shot and is reportedly doing fine.
“It’s clear where this defendant was going,” said Jeanine Pirro, U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., who indicated the suspect faces two counts of weapons possession and assault using a firearm, and is expected to be in federal court on Monday. She stressed more charges may be forthcoming.
Update from the Washington Hilton pic.twitter.com/4vx3A1iWmw
— US Attorney Pirro (@USAttyPirro) April 26, 2026
“I’ve studied assassinations,” Trump said. “The people that do the most, the people that make the biggest impact, they’re the ones they go after. … I hate to say I’m honored by that.”
Numerous journalists have identified the shooter as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California.
Attempted assassin ID’d as Cole Allen
Reports suggest he’s a teacher in CA pic.twitter.com/SGDu5YGje9
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 26, 2026
BREAKING: The suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California.
-Video has emerged showing someone on the ground with U.S. Secret Service agents inside the Washington Hilton
-Believed to… https://t.co/EOkEIKYxj1 pic.twitter.com/PQoka3QLSR
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 26, 2026
SCOOP:
Attempted assassin Cole Tomas Allen, a 31 year old male from California is a registered Democrat.
He is now in custody.
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) April 26, 2026
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson was also rushed from the scene, and he noted on X: “Kelly and I were at the event tonight, and we’re thankful no innocent people were harmed and everyone is now safe.
“We’re grateful as always for the law enforcement and first responders who acted so quickly to bring the situation under control. Praying for our country tonight.”
INCREDIBLE photo of Speaker Johnson’s security team evacuating him from the Washington Hilton following shots fired at the White House Correspondents Dinner
Absolute CHAOS.
@idreesali114 pic.twitter.com/oH4dUQ9lva
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 26, 2026
“This is a target-rich environment for evil people,” said Brian Kilmeade of Fox News who was at the dinner.
Something I noticed even before coming into the #WHCADinner was that the security was only outside the ballroom inside, not outside the building. So the entrance of the building did not have a security machine only guards, you only went through the screening before the ballroom.… pic.twitter.com/EnjvpJJvRq
— Leonardo Feldman (@LeoFeldmanNEWS) April 26, 2026
In a haunting moment of jocularity before the dinner commenced, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt actually mentioned “shots” would be fired.
“This speech tonight will be classic Donald J. Trump. It’ll be funny. It’ll be entertaining. There will be some shots fired tonight in the room,” she said.
JUST NOW: Karoline Leavitt calls on everyone to watch tonight because Donald Trump will bring the heat and there will be “shots fired”
LET’S FREAKING GO pic.twitter.com/GMkccJ7qvw
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) April 25, 2026
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