Trump and Cabinet members evacuated from correspondents’ dinner after shooting

Published April 25, 2026 8:52pm ET | Updated April 25, 2026 11:53pm ET



President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet were evacuated from the White House correspondents’ dinner after a gunman opened fire at the event on Saturday night.

Trump, Vice President JD Vance, FBI Director Kash Patel, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, along with many others were all seen being escorted out of the Washington Hilton, the hotel where the event was being held. Attendees were also seen hiding under tables as Secret Service escorted officials out.

Trump responded to the shooting in a Truth Social post after being safely escorted away from the scene, saying one shooter had been apprehended. Fox News reported that a Secret Service agent was shot in their protective vest by the gunman and is expected to be OK.

MAN CHARGED SECURITY CHECKPOINT AND SHOT SECRET SERVICE AGENT AT WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER: TRUMP

Both the FBI and Secret Service confirmed that the suspected shooter is now in custody. Secret Service said in a statement that the shooting took place in the “main magnetometer screening area” of the hotel.

“The president and the first lady are safe along all protectees,” the Secret Service said. “One individual is in custody. The condition of those involved is not yet known, and law enforcement is actively assessing the situation.”

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Guests take cover after a un-kown safety event took place as President Donald Trump was to speak to attendees of the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. According to reports, President Donald Trump, along with other government officials, were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after what sounded like gun fire. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
Guests take cover after a un-kown safety event took place as President Donald Trump was to speak to attendees of the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

Trump later released both video of the shooting incident and photos of the alleged shooter.

The video shows Secret Service agents standing in part of the hotel before being ambushed by the shooter, with one agent then discharging his weapon.

The photos of the alleged shooter are of a man in handcuffs laying face-down on the ground surrounded by law enforcement. Trump said at a late-night press conference that the suspect is from California and police are en route to his apartment.

Trump shared on Truth Social video of the suspect at tonight's White House Correspondents' Dinner. In the clip, a person is seen running through a hallway where several security personnel are standing. After he runs by, at least seven law enforcement personnel draw their guns and charge after him. (Donald Trump / Trush Social)
Trump shared on Truth Social video of the suspect at tonight’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner. (Donald Trump / Trush Social)

Witness accounts poured in, as thousands attend the dinner each year.

One of those was from CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, who said he was near the gunman and heard gunshots as he was heading to the restroom. A Fox News correspondent also witnessed Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk in tears after the shooting and being escorted out of the hotel.

Organizers initially said the event would continue after officers secured the scene. But Trump provided an update later, saying the event was canceled and would be rescheduled in 30 days.

Attendees were subsequently ordered to leave the premises immediately. Footage from outside the event showed a massive police presence, with police vans, ambulances, and helicopters near the venue.

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  • WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: (L-R) Melania Trump and U.S. President Donald Trump attend as Mentalist Oz Pearlman hosts The White House Correspondents Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for OP)
  • WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: People take cover after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. According to reports, President Donald Trump, along with other government officials, were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after what sounded like gun fire. According to the FBI’s Washington field office, a 'subject' is in custody. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
  • WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Katie Miller and Stephen Miller are escorted 1after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. According to reports, President Donald Trump, along with other government officials, were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after what sounded like gun fire. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Gettyimages)
  • WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Guests take cover after a un-kown safety event took place as President Donald Trump was to speak to attendees of the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. According to reports, President Donald Trump, along with other government officials, were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after what sounded like gun fire. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
  • Attendees are seen inside the ballroom after shots were reportedly fired during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. Shots were allegedly fired as US President Donald Trump attended a press dinner in Washington on Saturday night, witnesses and AFP reporters said as loud bangs were heard at the hotel venue. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)
  • Attendees are seen inside the ballroom after shots were reportedly fired during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. Shots were allegedly fired as US President Donald Trump attended a press dinner in Washington on Saturday night, witnesses and AFP reporters said as loud bangs were heard at the hotel venue. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)
  • Agents draw their guns after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. Shots were allegedly fired as US President Donald Trump attended a press dinner in Washington on Saturday night, witnesses and AFP reporters said as loud bangs were heard at the hotel venue. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)
  • Law enforcement officers respond to reports of a shooting during the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner in Washington, DC, US on Saturday, April 25, 2026. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were evacuated from the White House Correspondents' Association dinner event in Washington Saturday following a security incident at the venue. Photographer: Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images
  • Law enforcement officers surround Robert F. Kennedy Jr., US secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), and his wife, actress Cheryl Hines following reports of a shooting during the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner in Washington, DC, US on Saturday, April 25, 2026. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were evacuated from the White House Correspondents' Association dinner event in Washington Saturday following a security incident at the venue. Photographer: Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images
  • A Secret Service police officer walks through the lobby of the Washington Hilton after shots were heard during the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. Shots were fired as US President Donald Trump attended a press dinner in Washington on April 25 night, witnesses and AFP reporters confirmed. Loud bangs were heard and guests at the black-tie White House Correspondents' Dinner scrambled to hide under tables. Tactical teams with guns drawn took position on the stage where Trump had been sitting before he was evacuated. (Photo by Alex WROBLEWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)
  • Guests walk away from the Washington Hilton amid a heavy police presence after shots were heard during the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. Shots were fired as US President Donald Trump attended a press dinner in Washington on April 25 night, witnesses and AFP reporters confirmed. Loud bangs were heard and guests at the black-tie White House Correspondents' Dinner scrambled to hide under tables. Tactical teams with guns drawn took position on the stage where Trump had been sitting before he was evacuated. (Photo by Ulysse BELLIER / AFP via Getty Images)