Suspected gunfire triggers evacuation of President Trump at White House Correspondents' Dinner
The incident, occurring before President Trump was scheduled to address the audience, marked his first attendance at the dinner while in office and reignited scrutiny on security protocols at the venue.
A significant security disturbance disrupted the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night, prompting the immediate evacuation of US President Donald Trump. Witnesses and AFP reporters described the scene as loud bangs echoed through the banquet hall, causing guests to scramble for cover under tables while tactical teams moved onto the stage with weapons drawn.
The incident unfolded after the welcoming speech but before President Trump was due to deliver his address. Cabinet official Mehmet Oz reported hearing shots fired upstairs as he was rushed out by security personnel. While CNN and other media outlets reported that the President remained unhurt, details regarding the exact nature of the disturbance remain unverified by authorities.
Police forces swarmed the Washington Hilton venue as helicopters hovered overhead, creating a tense atmosphere during the black-tie gala. Although reports citing the Secret Service suggested an alleged shooter was taken into custody, this information has not been officially confirmed. Unconfirmed accounts also indicate that one person may have been injured, though the cause and severity of the injury are currently unavailable.
The Washington Hilton holds historical significance as the site where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981, adding weight to the security response. This event marks the first time a sitting president has attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner during their term, a move that had previously drawn criticism from journalists who had signed an open letter regarding press restrictions.
Organisers have confirmed that the dinner will continue despite the interruption. The White House Correspondents' Association, which invites the President annually, had faced backlash from newsrooms prior to the event, yet the gala proceeded with hundreds of journalists and media executives in attendance.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened security concerns, following a previous assassination attempt on President Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024. That attack resulted in the death of an attendee and a graze to the President's ear, while a separate investigation into a rifle barrel observed on his golf course led to an arrest just months later.
