President Donald Trump was evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night after shots were fired near the ballroom at the Washington Hilton, according to multiple eyewitness accounts and law enforcement sources.
Trump, who was seated on stage with First Lady Melania Trump, was surrounded by Secret Service agents and escorted off the dais within seconds of the gunfire. He briefly stumbled but was helped to his feet by agents, according to attendees and video footage reviewed by news outlets.
A law enforcement officer wearing a bullet-resistant vest was struck by gunfire but is expected to recover, the Associated Press reported, citing an official familiar with the incident. No other injuries were immediately reported among guests or staff.
The Secret Service confirmed a shooter had approached the venue’s exterior security checkpoint and was engaged by agents. A source briefed by the agency told CNBC the individual was armed with a shotgun and was taken into custody after being shot.
Trump later posted on Truth Social that the shooter had been apprehended and praised the response of law enforcement, saying they “acted quickly and bravely.” He announced he would hold a press conference at the White House within 30 minutes of the post, which was published at 9:36 p.m. ET.
White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang addressed the crowd from the stage minutes after the evacuation, stating the dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days and urging attendees to remain calm. She acknowledged that details were still unclear but affirmed the event would return.
For more on this story, see Secret Service evacuates Trump, Melania from White House Correspondents’ Dinner after loud bangs trigger security response.
Attendees described hearing between five and eight shots fired from the rear of the ballroom shortly after Jiang’s opening remarks, as guests were served the first course of spring pea and burrata salad. Many ducked under tables while others shouted warnings, and a spontaneous “God Bless America” chant arose from one section of the room as Trump was led away.
Senior administration officials present at the dinner, including Vice President JD Vance, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., were among those evacuated. All were reported to be unharmed.
The Washington Hilton’s banquet hall was quickly secured by federal agents, who swept the room and began breaking down table settings as staff assisted in the orderly dispersal of guests. Journalists in attendance flooded phone lines to file initial reports, with some capturing video of the evacuation.
While the motive and identity of the shooter remain under investigation, authorities have not indicated any connection to broader threats or organized activity. The incident marks one of the most serious security breaches at a presidential-adjacent event in recent memory.
Was anyone else injured besides the law enforcement officer?
No other injuries were reported among guests, staff, or officials present at the event, according to both the Associated Press and eyewitness accounts from attendees.
Will the White House Correspondents’ Dinner be held again this year?
Yes, Weijia Jiang of the White House Correspondents’ Association stated the dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days, and Trump confirmed in his Truth Social post that representatives had agreed to a new date.
