WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the White House on Saturday night following his evacuation from the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner after shots were fired near the event venue, officials said.
Trump, who was unharmed, returned to the White House shortly after the incident at the Washington Hilton hotel and held a news conference still wearing his tuxedo. He praised the Secret Service for its response and said a suspect had been apprehended.
The address came hours after gunfire erupted around 8:40 p.m. EDT near the main security screening area of the annual dinner on April 25, 2026. Secret Service agents quickly escorted Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials from the ballroom stage as attendees took cover. No injuries to protected officials were reported.
In his remarks, Trump described the swift action by security personnel. “A man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of Secret Service, and they acted very quickly,” he said. He added that one Secret Service officer was shot at close range but was protected by a bullet-resistant vest and was “in great shape.”
Trump also noted that authorities appeared to believe the suspect acted alone. “They seem to think he was a lone wolf,” he said. He stated that the first lady and he were “whisked away” from the stage and reiterated that all protectees were safe.
The incident interrupted the high-profile gathering of journalists, politicians and other guests. The dinner, which Trump was attending for the first time as sitting president, was evacuated on orders from law enforcement. Attendees were later allowed to leave the venue in an orderly manner after the area was secured.
Law enforcement officials, including the U.S. Secret Service, FBI and Metropolitan Police Department, continued to investigate overnight into Sunday. The suspect, identified in some reports as a 31-year-old man from California, faced charges including firearms violations and assault, though full details of his identity and motive remained under review.
White House Correspondents’ Association officials confirmed that no one inside the main ballroom was injured. The organization’s president emphasized cooperation with authorities.
As of early Sunday, April 26, 2026, Trump remained at the White House. Officials said there was no indication of additional threats or shooters. The investigation into how the suspect approached the secured checkpoint was ongoing, with federal and local authorities providing updates as information becomes available.
