In a dramatic turn of events, President Trump, First Lady Melania, along with numerous high-profile lawmakers and White House officials, were swiftly evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night due to a gunman opening fire near the ballroom.
Law enforcement sources indicate that the suspect has been apprehended, and there are reports that he may have been shot and killed during the incident.
The situation unfolded at the security checkpoints outside the Washington Hilton ballroom, where President Trump and a host of distinguished guests were preparing to celebrate the efforts of the Washington press corps.
Despite the incident, the president remains unharmed, and the organizers of the glamorous event, affectionately dubbed the “nerd prom,” assured attendees that the festivities hosted by the White House Correspondents’ Association would proceed as scheduled.
“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job,” Trump remarked on Truth Social following the incident.
“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. They will make a decision shortly,” he added.
Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and weâll just, plain, have to do it again. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Harrowing footage from the annual glitz gala showed at least five shots ringing out from the lobby, as more than 2,000 guests — including journalists and Trump officials — scrambled under tables for cover.
The shooting erupted less than 30 minutes after Trump and Melania made their grand entrance.
Trump, Melania, Vice President JD Vance, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt were among those at the dais who were rushed out of the ballroom by Secret Service agents before the rest of the president’s cabinet were evacuated.
CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, inside the Washington Hilton when the gunfire rang out, said he heard about six shots in a tight corridor just outside the ballroom moments after dinner service had begun.
âAll of a sudden, I start hearing gunshots in the hall right near me,â he told CNN. âAnd the next thing I knew, a police officer threw me to the ground and was on top of me.â
Blitzer said he had just stepped out and was heading up the stairs toward the lobby when the shooting broke out.
“It looked to me like when he was shooting, he was inside the medal detectors,” he added.
“It looked to me that the gunman who was firing these rounds was inside the security dinner. He somehow managed to get inside the metal detectors.”
Authorities quickly moved to secure the scene, physically restraining people in the vicinity and rushing them into nearby rooms for cover.
The Secret Service has since locked down the hotel.
Trump expected to return as scheduled and the presidential seal remained on the podium where he was originally set to speak.
It is the first time Trump has attended the gala since 2011 — marking his first appearance as president.
Before the event, pro-Palestine protesters lined the street outside the Washington Hilton, waving flags and holding signs that read “Media lies, Gaza dies” and “no war for Israel.”
Some also wore caricature masks depicting War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
One protester reportedly stormed the red carpet as guests arrived â only to be swiftly hauled away into custody.
