Washington, April 26, 2026 (Reuters): US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner by Secret Service agents on Saturday night after loud bangs were heard.
About an hour after Trump was rushed from the event, he posted on Truth Social that a “shooter had been apprehended.”
“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and law enforcement did a fantastic job,” Trump added.
According to witnesses, sudden noises caused immediate confusion and fear, with some guests screaming, “Get down, get down!” as the situation unfolded.
Hundreds of attendees quickly took cover under tables while others scrambled for safety.
Secret Service officers, some dressed in combat gear, swiftly moved into the dining hall and secured the area. Trump and the First Lady reportedly bent down behind the dais before being quickly escorted out by agents.
The annual event, attended by around 2,600 guests including journalists, politicians, and celebrities, was abruptly disrupted as many attendees remained sheltered while authorities worked to assess the situation.
Waitstaff were also seen fleeing toward the front of the hall as security forces took control of the venue. It remains unclear what exactly caused the loud bangs, and officials have not yet released full details of the incident.