Chaos erupted at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night as shots were fired during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, forcing security teams to rush President Donald Trump offstage.
The gunman was reportedly detained at a security screening area just outside the ballroom where hundreds of journalists, celebrities, and government officials had gathered.
As tactical teams with drawn weapons swarmed the stage, guests were seen diving under tables in a scene of sheer panic that brought the “Nerd Prom” to a screeching halt.
President Trump took to social media shortly after the evacuation to praise the “fantastic job” done by the Secret Service and law enforcement, confirming that the shooter was in custody. “They acted quickly and bravely,” Trump stated, adding that First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and all Cabinet members were in “perfect condition”.
Despite the security breach, the President expressed his intention to reschedule the gala within a month, though he noted that law enforcement had requested the immediate clearing of the premises.
The incident occurred after the welcoming remarks but before the President was scheduled to deliver his keynote address. Conflicting reports emerged in the initial moments of the crisis; Cabinet official Mehmet Oz told reporters he heard “shots fired upstairs” while being whisked away by security.
This marks the third significant security threat against Trump following the 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, and a later incident at his West Palm Beach golf course. Notably, the Washington Hilton is the same historic site where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) initially informed guests that the dinner would proceed before ultimately announcing a total postponement. This year’s gala was a significant departure from tradition, as it marked the first time Trump attended the event during his presidency after skipping it throughout his first term.
While the evening is typically defined by lighthearted roasts and scholarship awards, the night ended instead with police swarming the hotel and helicopters circling overhead as Washington grappled with another brush with political violence.
