U.S. President Donald Trump was reportedly evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner following reports that shots were fired.
Photos have quickly begun circulating on social media following the reports, showing what appear to be Secret Service members holding weapons while guests remain low to the floor.
Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump Reportedly Evacuated Following Reports Of Gunfire
One social media user focused on monitoring Europe and conflicts across the globe shared a photo from what appears to be the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“U.S. President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have been quickly evacuated off stage by the Secret Service, while armed agents rush the stage, following reports of shots fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington,” they wrote in the caption of the photo.
Suspect Reportedly In Custody
At this time, it is unclear what prompted the shooting, although multiple news outlets are now reporting that there is a suspect in custody. A video posted online shows the moment when gunfire can be heard, although it is unclear who the target is.
Trump has been the target of several assassination attempts in the past few years. In July 2024, he survived an assassination attempt while speaking at an open-air rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. He was wounded in his upper right ear and was seen sporting bandages in the days following the event. One audience member was killed in the attempt, and two others were critically injured.
J.D. Vance, Kash Patel & More In Attendance
USA Today reporters were inside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton hotel when they claim they heard loud bangs that sounded like gunshots and chants of “USA.” Members of the press in attendance immediately dropped to the floor.
According to their report, Trump took cover as security officers rushed to the main table. Other attendees seated at the head table were evacuated from the room. The shooting was said to have taken place only minutes after Trump appeared with his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance walked onto the stage with other dignitaries at the start of the dinner.
More than 200 tables were reportedly packed with some of Washington’s top political players, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Director Kash Patel, and Senator John Fetterman.
This is the first time Trump has planned to attend the dinner in more than a decade, and his first time ever as serving U.S. President.
White House Correspondents Dinner May Resume After Unspecified Threat
Approximately thirty minutes after the alleged shooting, POLITICO reported that guests were ushered out of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner due to an “unspecified threat.”
According to their report, WHCA President Weijia Jiang later told attendees that the “program will resume” following the threat, although it is unclear at this time what the nature of the threat was or how many individuals might have been involved.
Donald Trump Releases Statement On Truth Social
On April 25 at 9:17 PM ET, the U.S. President released a statement on Truth Social to praise law enforcement for doing a “fantastic job.”
“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON’ but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement,” he wrote.
“They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The USSS Is Investigating The Shooting
Separately, Chief of Communications for the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) Anthony Guglielmi, released a statement saying that the United States Secret Service will be investigating the shooting in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department.
They verified that the U.S. President, his wife, and all attendees are safe. They added that an individual is in custody, although no motive has been revealed at this time.
New Details About The Shooter Emerge
According to CNN, the suspected gunman was a 30-year-old man from California. No motive has been identified at this time.
The President posted another statement to Truth Social saying that he is currently heading back to the White House and plans to give a news conference about the shooting.
He also said that the White House Correspondents’ Dinner will be rescheduled within thirty days.