While he was at a Washington hotel for the White House correspondents’ dinner on Saturday, April 25, Donald Trump was evacuated urgently after shots were fired near the ballroom where the event was taking place. The American president was able to return safely to the White House, while a suspect was apprehended by law enforcement.
Disliked by Donald Trump for years, the White House correspondents’ dinner held at a large Washington hotel almost turned into a tragedy. As the evening was just beginning on Saturday, April 25, the American president was evacuated urgently by the Secret Service after shots were heard, as reported by Le Parisien.
On images circulated on social media, the American presidential couple can be seen sitting at a table talking before shots were heard and the scene became chaotic. “Get down,” several people shouted before taking cover under tables. As for Donald Trump, the American president was hurriedly evacuated by the Secret Service who intervened on the scene. “The president and the First Lady are safe, as are all protected persons,” the agency in charge of protecting top American personalities announced in a statement, also mentioning that a suspect had been apprehended.
Soon after being evacuated to the White House, Donald Trump thanked law enforcement and the Secret Service, praising their “great work.” He indicated on his Truth Social network, “They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter was apprehended, and I advised that the show must go on, but we fully defer to law enforcement decisions.” The evening was ultimately canceled, but Donald Trump promised it would be rescheduled quickly.
According to preliminary information from the Secret Service, the shots took place outside the room where the White House correspondents’ dinner was being held in a “controlled area.” With the hotel entrance being open to the public, only the ballroom was protected by strict controls and bag searches, several journalists on site confirmed.
While many journalists were present at the dinner, Fox News host Sean Hannity revealed that the shooter forced his way through the security checkpoint near the entrance door before opening fire on law enforcement. Regarding Donald Trump, he stated late in the evening during a press conference that the apprehended man was a resident of California. While sharing a photo of the suspect – lying on the floor with hands handcuffed – the American president clarified that the suspect was carrying several weapons.
“This is not the first time in recent years that our Republic has been attacked by a potential assassin seeking to kill,” declared the Oval Office occupant. In fact, this is not the first time Donald Trump has been the target of an assassination attempt. In 2024, when he was seeking another term as the United States’ head, he narrowly escaped death during his campaign by being shot in the ear at a meeting in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Published on April 26 at 06:30, by Kévin Comby, 6Medias
