US Politics
Trump forced to leave and announces press briefing after shooting at Correspondents Dinner: Live Updates
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The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner has been canceled after a gunman opened fire inside the Washington Hilton on Saturday evening.
“Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately,” President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social at 9:36 p.m.. “I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room.”
The event will be rescheduled in 30 days, Trump added. Earlier, he announced that the assailant had been apprehended.
Shots rang out around 8:30 p.m., prompting Secret Service agents to swiftly usher Trump away from the dais. A number of Cabinet officials were also removed from the ballroom. Attendees still inside took cover underneath tables. One woman cried and described the incident as the “scariest thing” she’d ever experienced.
The shooting took place “near the main magnetometer screening area” at the Hilton, the Secret Service said in a statement.
“The president and the first lady are safe along all protectees,” the statement continued. “One individual is in custody. The condition of those involved is not yet known, and law enforcement is actively assessing the situation.”
The Hilton, located a short distance away from the White House, is where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. Trump has been subject to several assassination attempts.
Lindsey Graham: ‘Let’s all pray for calmer waters’
Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, called for calm after the shooting incident at the Washington Hilton.
“Very thankful to God that President Trump and the First Lady, Vice President Vance and the Second Lady are okay, as well as everyone else attending the dinner,” he wrote on X.
“To the American people, let’s all pray for calmer waters,” he added.
Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 03:01
Secret Service says they are ‘actively assessing the situation’
The Secret Service released the below statement at 9:24 p.m.:
The U.S. Secret Service, in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department, is investigating a shooting incident near the main magnetometer screening area at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The president and the first lady are safe along all protectees. One individual is in custody. The condition of those involved is not yet known, and law enforcement is actively assessing the situation.
Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 02:54
The dinner has been canceled, Trump says
The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner has been canceled, the president announced.
“Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room.”
The event will be rescheduled in 30 days, Trump added.
Organizers have asked attendees to leave the ballroom.
Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 02:46
Person in custody, officials say
A person is in custody after the shooting at the correspondents’ dinner, officials said, according to The Associated Press.
Organizers have said that the program will continue shortly.
Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 02:33
Trump reacts on Truth Social after gunman opens fire: ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON’
President Trump reacted on Truth Social after a gunman opened fire at the Washington Hilton.
“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we “LET THE SHOW GO ON” but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again. President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 02:26
Billionaire attendee expresses shock that event may still continue
David Rubenstein, the billionaire co-founder of the Carlyle Group, who is in attendance, expressed surprise that the event may still continue after a gunman opened fire inside the Washington Hilton.
“Are they actually going to do this thing?” he told The Independent.
When he was told that the president might return, he said: “Are you serious?!”
John Bowden26 April 2026 02:24
Photos show chaos at the Hilton after a gunman opened fire
Photos show chaos at the Washington Hilton after a gunman opened fire. He and was swiftly neutralized, according to reports.
Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 02:17
Trump is still inside the Hilton: report
The president is still inside the Washington Hilton, according to a report from the press pool.
It’s not clear if he will participate in the program after it resumes.
Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 02:11
Attendees scrambled to take cover after gunman opens fire: ‘Scariest thing’
After gunshots rang out inside the Washington Hilton, attendees scrambled to hide underneath tables in the ballroom.
One woman was crying. She said it was the “scariest thing” she’d ever experienced.
Senator John Fetterman was seen assisting another woman as she got up from underneath a table.
Elsewhere, a Secret Service agent was seen carrying a military rifle. Some tables and chairs were flipped over.
The shooter has been confirmed as dead, and the program is expected to continue shortly.
Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 02:05
The event will ‘resume shortly’
Attendees cheered after an announcement was made that the program will “resume shortly.”
Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 01:59