Trump uninjured after shooting at Correspondents' Dinner
What you need to know
- Shots were fired at the White House Correspondents' Dinner with President Trump in attendance
- Trump, uninjured, was rushed from the event by security personnel
- The suspect, a 31-year-old man from California, has been taken into custory
- A Secret Service agent was hit and is in hospital
- Trump held a press conference at the White House after the shooting
Please follow along for more coverage of the White House correspondents' dinner shooting and Trump's evacuation:
Skip next section Suspect to be formally charged in court on Monday, US prosecutor says04/26/2026April 26, 2026Suspect to be formally charged in court on Monday, US prosecutor says
Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney in Washington, DC, said the suspect is facing two counts for using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on federal officers using a dangerous weapon.
She said the suspect will be arraigned before a federal court on Monday.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpSrSkip next section What to know if you're joining us now04/26/2026April 26, 2026
What to know if you're joining us now
President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and other Cabinet members were evacuated from the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night after gunshots were fired in the Washington Hilton hotel's lobby.
Authorities said the incident occurred outside the ballroom where Trump and other guests were seated. Trump said he "fought like hell" to resume dinner but was told by security agents that he had to leave because it was safer.
Trump then addressed reporters from the White House, describing a "room that was just totally unified" and thanking security agents for their quick work. A suspect is in custody, the FBI said.
Trump was attending the media gala for the first time as president. The event had drawn scrutiny because of the tense relationship between the administration and members of the press.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpSqSkip next section Trump says shooter captured and man believed to be from California04/26/2026April 26, 2026Trump says shooter captured and man believed to be from California
Trump said the shooter had been captured and the man is believed to be from California, adding law enforcement officials have "gone to his apartment."
Trump said the shooter was a "lone wolf," with the president saying he believes the incident is not linked to the US-Israel war with Iran.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, also on the podium with Trump during the press briefing, said the investigation was "ongoing" and that he expects charges to be "filed shortly."
FBI Director Kash Patel said during his remarks that his agency was "conducting witness interviews as we speak."
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpQmSkip next section 'I fought like hell,' Trump says he wanted to resume dinner04/26/2026April 26, 2026'I fought like hell,' Trump says he wanted to resume dinner
Trump said he wanted to stay at the White House Correspondents' Dinner but was told by security agents that he had to leave.
"We wanted to stay tonight," Trump said. "I will tell you, I fought like hell to stay." But concerns about his safety came first.
The US president said the shooting was "rather traumatic" for First Lady Melania and praised law enforcement many a time for their quick response.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpRWSkip next section Suspect armed with multiple weapons at correspondents' dinner, Trump says04/26/2026April 26, 2026Suspect armed with multiple weapons at correspondents' dinner, Trump says
President Donald Trump said the suspect was armed with multiple weapons before being stopped by Secret Service. One officer was shot, but he was protected by a bulletproof vest.
"He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job," Trump said.
Trump is addressing reporters at the White House after he and other top leaders of the US were evacuated from an annual dinner of White House correspondents on Saturday night after a shooting incident outside the ballroom.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpQlSkip next section Trump describes a 'room totally unified' in press briefing04/26/2026April 26, 2026Trump describes a 'room totally unified' in press briefing
Trump described the White House Correspondents' Dinner as an evening of unity, saying, "I saw a room that was just totally unified."
Trump is addressing the media his acting attorney general, the homeland security secretary and the FBI director.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpQkSkip next section DW Washington reporter says no screening prior to entering lobby of Washington Hilton hotel04/26/2026April 26, 2026DW Washington reporter says no screening prior to entering lobby of Washington Hilton hotel
DW Washington correspondent Misha Komadovsky posted to X that there was no security screening prior to entering the lobby of the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, DC.
Komadovsky was at the event with other journalists covering the White House and the Trump presidency.
But members of the press and politicians and others attending the actual dinner had to go through screening and had their bags checked before entering the ballroom inside the hotel.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpOYSkip next section White House Correspondents' Association President Weijia Jiang addresses reporters04/26/2026April 26, 2026White House Correspondents' Association President Weijia Jiang addresses reporters
White House Correspondents' Association President Weijia Jiang said in emotional remarks from the podium that Trump will hold a briefing at the White House.
"I said earlier tonight that journalism is a public service, because when there is an emergency, we run to the crisis, not away from it. And on a night when we are thinking about the freedoms in the First Amendment, we must also think about how fragile they are." "We will do this again," she said.
The White House Correspondents' Association Dinner is hosted by the association that ensures media access to the president.
The White House Correspondents' Association operates independently of the White House.
Suspect fired at Secret Service agent, FBI says
A man with a shotgun tried to breach security at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night, officials said.
A man armed with a shotgun fired at a Secret Service agent, an FBI official told Reuters. The agent was hit in an area covered by protective gear and not harmed, the official said.
All federal officials, including Trump, were safe.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpMISkip next section Trump: Law enforcement wants everyone to leave premises04/26/2026April 26, 2026Trump: Law enforcement wants everyone to leave premises
Trump, in another Truth Social post, said "Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately."
"I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room," Trump said. "The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet Members are in perfect condition."
Trump said there will be press conference in 30 minutes. He also said the White House Correspondents' Dinner will also be rescheduled within 30 days.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpMGSkip next section US Secret Service investigating shooting incident04/26/2026April 26, 2026US Secret Service investigating shooting incident
The US Secret Service said it is investigating the shooting incident.
"The president and the first lady are safe along all protectees," US Secret Service Chief of Communications Chief Anthony Guglielmi said. "One individual is in custody. The condition of those involved is not yet known, and law enforcement is actively assessing the situation."
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpMFSkip next section Trump says 'shooter has been apprehended' in social media post04/26/2026April 26, 2026Trump says 'shooter has been apprehended' in social media post
Trump posted to Truth Social that a shooter has been apprehended at the correspondents' dinner.
"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 in a post.
"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," he said.
This is the first time Trump's attending the event after boycotting it in previous years.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpMBSkip next section Secret Service agents yelled 'shots fired,' according to pool reports04/26/2026April 26, 2026Secret Service agents yelled 'shots fired,' according to pool reports
Several US Secret Service agents yelled "shots fired," according to pool reports.
There appeared to be confusion since some reporters say they didn't hear loud bangs, while others did.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpMASkip next section Video shows moment when Trump's taken off stage at White House Correspondents' Dinner04/26/2026April 26, 2026Video shows moment when Trump's taken off stage at White House Correspondents' Dinner
https://p.dw.com/p/5CpM0Skip next section Trump reported uninjured04/26/2026April 26, 2026Trump reported uninjured
Trump and the First Lady were removed from the stage by Secret Service agents just minutes into the annual dinner of White House correspondents.
There were no reports of injuries, with reporters saying Trump was safe. One law enforcement official told the Associated Press that a shooter opened fire.
The Secret Service and other authorities swarmed the banquet hall at the Washington Hilton as guests ducked under tables by the hundreds.
"Out of the way, sir!" someone yelled. Others yelled to duck.
The annual event is a celebration of press freedom but has drawn scrutiny because of the tense relationship between the Trump administration and the media.
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