Trump speaks after shooting incident at White House Correspondents' Dinner
4/26/2026 9:32:39 AM
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were evacuated from the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night, after gunshots were reported on the premises.
The US Secret Service confirmed that no one was injured in the "shooting incident", and one person has been taken into custody.
In an address from the White House, the president said it was "always shocking when this happens, that never changes".
Immediately after the incident, Trump wrote on Truth Social: "The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we "LET THE SHOW GO ON" but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement."
He followed up with a second post, where he said law enforcement had requested that he and the first lady leave the premises.
Speaking from the White House an hour or so after the incident, the president said that a man had been taken into custody after he charged security at the Washington Hilton hotel with a "powerful" weapon".
Pointing reporters in the direction of Truth Social, where he said he had shared a video of the "thug" charging a security checkpoint as well as a photo of him in custody, Trump called the gunman a "very sick man".
Trump said one Secret Service agent was shot at very close range in the incident, but saved by his bullet-proof vest.
"I just spoke to the officer, and he's doing great," he said.
"He has very high spirits, and we told him we love him and respect him, and he's a very proud guy."
The president described a room that was "totally unified", with a "tremendous amount of love and coming together" in the aftermath of the gunfire.
Trump emphasised he wanted the event to resume following the apprehension of the suspect, but protocol prevented this.
The event will be rescheduled, Trump said, insisting he would make it "bigger and better and even nicer".
The president also made reference to the two previous attempts on his life, including at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and another time while Trump was golfing in Palm Beach, Florida.
He said it was "always shocking when this happens, that never changes", noting that the first lady was "rather traumatised" by the incident.
The president also thanked the media, who he says were "very responsible" in their coverage of the unfolding situation.
The US Secret Service confirmed that no one was injured in the "shooting incident", and one person has been taken into custody.
In an address from the White House, the president said it was "always shocking when this happens, that never changes".
Immediately after the incident, Trump wrote on Truth Social: "The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we "LET THE SHOW GO ON" but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement."
He followed up with a second post, where he said law enforcement had requested that he and the first lady leave the premises.
Speaking from the White House an hour or so after the incident, the president said that a man had been taken into custody after he charged security at the Washington Hilton hotel with a "powerful" weapon".
Pointing reporters in the direction of Truth Social, where he said he had shared a video of the "thug" charging a security checkpoint as well as a photo of him in custody, Trump called the gunman a "very sick man".
Trump said one Secret Service agent was shot at very close range in the incident, but saved by his bullet-proof vest.
"I just spoke to the officer, and he's doing great," he said.
"He has very high spirits, and we told him we love him and respect him, and he's a very proud guy."
The president described a room that was "totally unified", with a "tremendous amount of love and coming together" in the aftermath of the gunfire.
Trump emphasised he wanted the event to resume following the apprehension of the suspect, but protocol prevented this.
The event will be rescheduled, Trump said, insisting he would make it "bigger and better and even nicer".
The president also made reference to the two previous attempts on his life, including at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and another time while Trump was golfing in Palm Beach, Florida.
He said it was "always shocking when this happens, that never changes", noting that the first lady was "rather traumatised" by the incident.
The president also thanked the media, who he says were "very responsible" in their coverage of the unfolding situation.