Trump rushed to safety after hearing gunshots during a dinner in Washington

TLDR

• Shots were fired during a White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel on Saturday evening
• President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance were evacuated and unharmed
• A Secret Service officer was shot but saved by his bulletproof vest
• Suspect Cole Thomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, is in custody and told authorities he was targeting Trump officials
• The dinner was canceled but Trump said it would be rescheduled within 30 days

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At least six shots were fired during a White House correspondents’ dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday evening. President Donald Trump was quickly removed from the event by Secret Service agents.

For the third time in two years – is the US President the most targeted man on the planet?

Shooting during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (April 25, Washington Hilton).

What happened:
→ More than 5 gunshots near the security zone at 8:35 p.m. ET
→ The Secret Service rushed Trump off the stage… pic.twitter.com/rnXoMOvY2d

— CryptoPatel (@CryptoPatel) April 26, 2026

The shooting happened around 8:35 PM ET at the Washington Hilton. The shooting took place near a security checkpoint in the lobby, and not inside the hall where the dinner was taking place.

Trump was sitting at the head table with First Lady Melania Trump when Secret Service agents burst into the room. The banquet table was empty within two minutes.

Update from President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/JbNmA6DYdn

-The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 26, 2026

Vice President J.D. Vance was also present at the event and was evacuated safely. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were among other top officials escorted through emergency exits.

A Secret Service officer was shot at close range. He was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to make a full recovery.

The suspect has been identified

The suspect has been identified as Cole Thomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California. He was subdued by Secret Service at the scene. He told authorities he was targeting Trump officials, according to CBS News.

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White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt made waves at Donald Trump’s speech minutes before it began, warning that there would be “a shooting in the room.”

Shortly after, real gunshots erupted in the White House… pic.twitter.com/LkvjvbOBPQ

— Currency Bureau (@coinbureau) April 26, 2026

Allen was armed with multiple weapons, Trump certain. FBI agents and police search an address in Torrance, California. He is expected to be formally charged in court on Monday.

CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer had left the hall and was near the lobby when the shooting occurred. One of the police officers pushed him to the ground and took him to a safe place. Blitzer said he witnessed officers overpower the gunman.

The dinner was attended by about 2,600 guests. Many people hid under tables when the gunfire rang out. Members of the National Guard and other law enforcement agencies swept the area outside the hotel while helicopters flew overhead.

Trump addresses the press after the evacuation

Trump held an impromptu news conference in the White House James Brady Press Room shortly after 10:30 p.m. Still wearing his uniform, he was joined by FBI Director Kash Patel and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullen.

Trump said he initially thought he heard a tray fall before realizing it was gunfire. He praised the Secret Service for its quick response.

On Truth Social, Trump posted that he recommended the dinner go ahead but would follow law enforcement guidelines. The event was eventually cancelled.

Trump said the dinner is scheduled to take place within 30 days. White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang confirmed that everyone was fine and the event would be rescheduled.

The Washington Hilton was also the site of the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan.