Trump rushed out of White House Correspondents’ Dinner after shots fired outside ballroom, gunman down


Gunfire erupted at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Saturday night — with President Trump and first lady Melania dramatically evacuated less than 30 minutes after making their grand entrance.

Harrowing footage from the annual glitzy gala showed at least five shots ringing out from the lobby of the Washington Hilton, as more than 2,000 guests — including journalists and Trump officials — scrambled under tables for cover.

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.

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, next to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, attend the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026. REUTERS
US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is rushed out by Secret Service agents after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents’ dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. 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. AFP via Getty Images

The rest of Trump’s cabinet were then evacuated from room.

Sources told The Post the shooter was shot and killed after the shooting at the metal detectors outside the ballroom.

The Secret Service has since locked down the hotel.

CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, who was inside the Washington Hilton at the time of the shooting, described hearing multiple shots in a tight corridor just outside the ballroom moments after dinner service had begun.

“It’s very, very worrisome what happened,” Blitzer told CNN, recounting how the chaos unfolded “just coincidentally after they served the appetizers.”

Blitzer said he had stepped out briefly and was climbing stairs leading to the lobby area when the shooting broke out.

“All of a sudden, I start hearing gunshots in the hall right near me,” he said. “And the next thing I knew, a police officer threw me to the ground and was on top of me.”

The shots rang out in close quarters, amplifying the fear.

Authorities quickly moved to secure the scene, physically restraining people in the vicinity and rushing them into nearby rooms for cover.

“The noise was so loud in a small area,” Blitzer said. “And all of a sudden, I am seeing gunshots.”

“They grabbed me, the police officers, and they take me back into the men’s room where I was safe,” he said, adding that roughly 15 men were locked inside as officers assessed the threat.

The event, hosted by the White House Correspondents Association, is expected to continue.



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