President Trump was hustled out of the White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 25, 2026, after a suspected gunman tried to breach security at the Washington Hilton in Washington and was shot by Secret Service agents. [1]
The suspect was identified as Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California. He fired a gun at Secret Service personnel and was detained in the hotel lobby before reaching the magnetometers. [1]
Secret Service agents were hit in protective equipment but were not injured, according to the report. The suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives. [1]
Vice President Vance, first lady Melania Trump and several Cabinet secretaries were also evacuated from the event. Guests dove to the floor and hid under tables as the room turned chaotic. Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York, said, "We heard a loud noise, saw Secret Service rush in, obviously pure chaos in the room very quickly. They moved to get the president and members of the Cabinet, understandably." [1]
Secret Service agents then secured administration officials and stood on the dais with guns drawn but pointed down after the evacuation. Trump later posted grainy security footage and a close-up image of the suspect on his Truth Social account. [1]