President Donald Trump and senior administration officials were abruptly evacuated Saturday night from the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner after explosions were heard in the lobby of the hotel where the event was being held, prompting the Secret Service to activate security protocols. The president was unharmed.
According to official reports and witness accounts, attendees—journalists, officials, and lawmakers—covered themselves and dropped to the floor upon hearing the noises, while Secret Service agents quickly removed the president, first lady Melania Trump, vice president JD Vance, and other members of the administration from the room. Authorities reported that no officials were injured and that a suspect in the apparent incident was arrested.
Minutes after the evacuation, Trump tweeted on his social media account, Truth Social, that it had been “an intense night” in the capital and praised the response of law enforcement. He confirmed that the shooter was apprehended and indicated that he recommended “the show go on,” although he clarified that he would follow the instructions of the authorities, who would evaluate the next steps.
The incident occurred a few minutes after the start of the evening, when the president was seated on the stage of the Washington Hilton Hotel, located near the White House. Images recorded by news agencies and media outlets showed the moment when agents stormed onto the stage with their weapons drawn to escort the president out of the ballroom.
Security forces did not immediately specify the origin of the explosions heard in the lobby. According to the White House press pool, an agent yelled “Gunshots!” during the initial confusion. An attendee quoted by U.S. media reported hearing three loud bangs and seeing a man fall, while agents took up positions in the building.
Among those evacuated were cabinet members and senior officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, and the FBI Director, Kash Patel, were among those present. Lawmakers from both parties indicated on social media that they were taken to secure rooms by security forces.
The annual dinner brings together leading figures in the press and government officials each year in one of the most traditional events on the American political calendar. Organizers indicated that the event could resume, although it was not confirmed whether Trump would return to deliver his planned speech. The president’s attendance—his first at the gala as president—had generated considerable anticipation due to his strained relationship with some members of the press.
