Trump safe after shooting disrupts White House correspondents dinner in Washington
President Donald Trump was unharmed after a shooter opened fire outside the ballroom of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night.
Other top US officials were evacuated, and no injuries were immediately reported. Authorities confirmed a shooting but released few details about the suspect or the motive.
The incident caused panic inside the banquet hall, where hundreds of journalists, celebrities, and political leaders had gathered. Guests ducked under tables as Secret Service agents rushed in and escorted Trump off stage. He briefly stumbled but was quickly assisted.
Witnesses reported hearing between five and eight gunshots. The building was evacuated, with National Guard members securing the area while helicopters circled overhead.
High-profile attendees included Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. After the disruption, organizers prepared to resume the event, resetting tables and equipment for Trump’s planned remarks.
Security at the hotel has traditionally focused on the ballroom rather than the entire building, which has previously allowed protests and disruptions in public areas.
Following the incident, authorities took full control of the hotel, and city officials were called to respond.
It is the latest in a string of security incidents targeting the president. Trump survived two assassination attempts during his 2024 campaign, in Butler, Pennsylvania and West Palm Beach, Florida.
The threats continued into his second term. In February, a 21-year-old armed with a shotgun and gasoline breached Mar-a-Lago’s security before being fatally shot by agents.
