SHOTS FIRED: Trump rushed out of White House Correspondents Dinner as gunfire erupts

By Joe Kovacs

President Donald Trump along with First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance were rushed out of the White House Correspondents Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday night after shots were fired outside the hotel’s ballroom.

One suspect who is believed to be a lone wolf is in custody, while Trump and other top government officials are safe, and the dinner called off.

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President Trump took to Truth Social to say: “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.”

He added: “Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately. I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room. The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition. We will be speaking to you in a half an hour. I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 30 days.”

Trump initially wanted to give his speech even after the shooting, telling reporters: “I was all set to really rip it. And people said this would be the most inappropriate speech if I were to give it.”

The incident occurred at 8:36 p.m., as the suspect, who was a guest at the hotel, raced on foot through a Secret Service security checkpoint armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives.

One Secret Service officer was shot and is reportedly doing fine.

“It’s clear where this defendant was going,” said Jeanine Pirro, U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., who indicated the suspect faces two counts of weapons possession and assault using a firearm, and is expected to be in federal court on Monday. She stressed more charges may be forthcoming.

“I’ve studied assassinations,” Trump said. “The people that do the most, the people that make the biggest impact, they’re the ones they go after. … I hate to say I’m honored by that.”

Numerous journalists have identified the shooter as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson was also rushed from the scene, and he noted on X: “Kelly and I were at the event tonight, and we’re thankful no innocent people were harmed and everyone is now safe.

“We’re grateful as always for the law enforcement and first responders who acted so quickly to bring the situation under control. Praying for our country tonight.”

“This is a target-rich environment for evil people,” said Brian Kilmeade of Fox News who was at the dinner.

In a haunting moment of jocularity before the dinner commenced, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt actually mentioned “shots” would be fired.

“This speech tonight will be classic Donald J. Trump. It’ll be funny. It’ll be entertaining. There will be some shots fired tonight in the room,” she said.

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Joe Kovacs

Executive News Editor Joe Kovacs (@JoeKovacsNews) is the author of the best-selling book, "Reaching God Speed: Unlocking the Secret Broadcast Revealing the Mystery of Everything." His previous books include "Shocked by the Bible 2: Connecting the Dots in Scripture to Reveal the Truth They Don't Want You to Know," a follow-up to his No. 1 best-seller "Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told" as well as "The Divine Secret: The Awesome and Untold Truth about Your Phenomenal Destiny." He is an award-winning journalist of more than 20 years in American TV, radio and the internet, and is also a former editor at the Budapest Business Journal in Europe. Read more of Joe Kovacs's articles here.


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