Trump rushed from White House Correspondents’ Dinner after gunfire

U.S. President Donald Trump was hurriedly evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., after a gunman opened fire near the venue, triggering panic among hundreds of high-profile guests.

The incident occurred late Saturday at the Washington Hilton, where more than 2,000 journalists, politicians and dignitaries had gathered for the annual event. According to officials, the attacker—armed with multiple weapons including a shotgun and handgun—attempted to breach a secured area before firing shots near a screening checkpoint. 

Secret Service agents swiftly shielded and escorted Trump, alongside the First Lady and senior government officials, to safety. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as attendees dived under tables while security personnel shouted warnings and secured the hall. 

A Secret Service officer was struck at close range during the confrontation but survived due to a bullet-resistant vest, underscoring the intensity of the encounter. The suspect was quickly subdued and taken into custody, with authorities confirming no fatalities and no injuries among guests. 

In a statement shortly after the incident, Trump praised security forces for their rapid response, confirming that all top officials were safe and the attacker had been apprehended. He later indicated the dinner—his first attendance as president—would be rescheduled.

Eyewitness accounts highlighted the fear inside the ballroom, with one journalist recounting that guests remained hidden for several minutes amid uncertainty over the scale of the threat.

Investigators say the motive remains unclear, and there is currently no indication of additional suspects. The breach has, however, raised fresh concerns about security arrangements at major political gatherings in the United States.