On Saturday night, a man armed with firearms and knives burst into the lobby outside a journalists’ gala, where U.S. President Donald Trump and several high-ranking U.S. officials were present. The assailant rushed towards the ballroom before being intercepted and apprehended by Secret Service agents. Fortunately, the president was unharmed and was quickly escorted to safety.
As the incident unfolded, attendees dove under tables, with some claiming they heard gunfire outside the expansive subterranean ballroom located in the Washington Hilton, where the event was taking place.
In a statement, the Secret Service confirmed they were collaborating with local law enforcement to investigate “a shooting incident,” noting that an individual was in custody.
“When you have an impact, they come after you. If you don’t, they leave you alone,” Trump remarked at the White House two hours post-incident, appearing uninjured and still dressed in his tuxedo. “It appears he was acting alone.”
There were no immediate signs of additional involvement, and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser stated she had “no reason” to believe others were connected. In a video shared by Trump, the suspect was seen sprinting past security barriers while Secret Service personnel rushed towards him.
Video footage from the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner captured the moment when Secret Service agents swiftly moved President Trump from harm’s way amid loud commotion.
“There doesn’t seem to be any immediate threat to the public right now,” Bowser stated during a separate press briefing.
All individuals under Secret Service protection were safely evacuated. Notable attendees included Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
This was the third instance since 2024 that the president was threatened by an attacker in close proximity, including an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, which resulted in injuries to him and the death of a local firefighter.
“Today, we require security measures that likely surpass anything seen before,” the president commented. Nevertheless, he also asserted, “We will not allow anyone to take control of our society.”
Security personnel brandish their weapons during the White House correspondents’ dinner on Saturday. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated that charges related to the attack on Saturday night would be filed soon, emphasizing that the nature of the charges would be clear given the events that transpired at the dinner. He reiterated that “the investigation is clearly ongoing and has only just begun.”
FBI Director Kash Patel, accompanying Trump, stated that the agency is analyzing a long gun and shell casings found at the scene, in addition to interviewing witnesses from the dinner. He urged anyone with relevant information to step forward.
Dinner descends into chaos
Guests were enjoying their meals when a loud noise erupted — which Trump initially thought to be a dropped tray, but some journalists believed it to be five to eight gunshots.
The Secret Service and other authorities rushed into the room as hundreds of guests ducked for cover under tables. Gasps filled the air as attendees realized the seriousness of the situation; numerous journalists quickly dialed in information.
“Get out of the way, sir!” someone shouted, while others urged people to take cover. Outside the venue, National Guard members and other officials inundated the area as helicopters circled above.
Law enforcement personnel are seen outside the Washington Hilton on Saturday. (Allison Robbert/The Associated Press)
After a brief attempt to continue, the event was canceled for the evening and will be rescheduled.
“We will do this again,” proclaimed Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association. Shortly thereafter, staff began to dismantle table settings and the presidential lectern.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who attended the event with his wife, Kelly, shared that they were “praying for our country tonight.” House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries from New York stated, “The violence and chaos in America must cease.”
Guests seek shelter inside the banquet hall of the Washington Hilton on Saturday. (Evan Vucci/Reuters)
The banquet hall, filled with hundreds of notable journalists, celebrities, and national leaders awaiting Trump’s speech, was quickly evacuated. National Guard members took positions inside the venue as guests were allowed to exit but not re-enter immediately. Security outside remained exceptionally tight.
Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York who was present at the dinner, recounted hearing a loud pop and stated, “We had no idea what it was. Then we heard various clattering sounds.” Lawler noted that he frequently receives “death threats” and remarked, “I believe we live in a climate where many recognize it’s a problem, yet I don’t think people fully grasp the extent of the issue.”
Initially, it seemed the event would proceed after the chaos. Servers began to refold napkins and replenish water glasses in anticipation of Trump’s return. Another staff member prepared the president’s teleprompter for his anticipated remarks.
Typically, the Hilton hotel, where the dinner has traditionally been held, remains open to regular patrons during the correspondents’ dinner, with security primarily focused on the ballroom rather than the hotel as a whole, resulting in minimal screening for individuals not attending the dinner. In previous years, this has led to disruptions in the lobby and other public areas, including protests where security had to remove guests who displayed banners or staged demonstrations.
Highly anticipated event
Trump’s presence at Saturday’s annual dinner in Washington marked his first attendance as president, showcasing the often-contentious relationship between his administration and the media.
Upon arrival, Trump found himself in an event where leaders of a nation at war mingled with celebrities, journalists, and even a puppet — Triumph the Insult Comic Dog — in a gathering that typically sparks discussion about whether journalists and their sources should socialize and set aside their sometimes adversarial relationships.
Attendees closely monitored Trump during the dinner organized by the reporters who cover him and his administration. Previous presidents have usually addressed the significance of free speech and the First Amendment, often adding light-hearted jabs at individual journalists.
Guests greet each other inside the Washington Hilton on Saturday. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
The Republican president did not attend during his first term or in the first year of his second. He was present as a guest in 2011, observing as President Barack Obama, a Democrat, made jokes at the expense of the New York real estate mogul. Trump also attended as a private citizen in 2015.
As Trump entered the banquet hall of the Washington Hilton to the music of Hail to the Chief, he acknowledged prominent journalists seated at the dais, taking a moment to commend White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt with a cheerful gesture.
Historically, past dinners have featured comedians poking fun at presidents. This year, however, the organizers decided to feature mentalist Oz Pearlman as the main entertainment.
Throughout his second term, the administration’s hostility towards journalists has been evident, characterized by berating individual reporters, challenging organizations such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Associated Press legally, and limiting press access to the Pentagon.
In the lead-up to the event, a few dozen protesters gathered across from the hotel. One wore a prison uniform and a Hegseth mask, while another displayed a sign proclaiming, “Journalism is dead.”
