Trump forced to leave and announces press briefing after shooting at Correspondents Dinner: Live Updates

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. “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.

After shots rang out, Trump was ushered away from the dais by Secret Service agents, and a number of other 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. Senator John Fetterman was seen assisting another woman, while a Secret Service agent nearby carried a military rifle.

A person has been taken into custody, officials said, and their identity has not been revealed.

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.

More updates to follow…

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.

A US Marshall walks through the lobby of the Washington Hilton after shots were heard during the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington
A US Marshall walks through the lobby of the Washington Hilton after shots were heard during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington (AFP via Getty Images)
Guests walk away from the Washington Hilton amid a heavy police presence after shots were heard
Guests walk away from the Washington Hilton amid a heavy police presence after shots were heard (AFP via Getty Images)

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.

Attendees seen taking cover on the ground
Attendees seen taking cover on the ground (Getty)

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

Trump and Vance were not injured: report

Neither the president nor the vice president were injured, according to The Associated Press.

Secret Service agents quickly responded after shots rang out, leaping onto the dais and escorting the president away from the scene.

Secret Service agents quickly ushered the 79-year-old president, who has been subject to several assassination attempts, away from the scene
Secret Service agents quickly ushered the 79-year-old president, who has been subject to several assassination attempts, away from the scene (Getty)

Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 01:56

Shooter is confirmed as dead: report

A shooter has been confirmed as dead, according to CNN.

In addition to Trump, Cabinet officials were swiftly evacuated from the ballroom.

Hundreds of attendees are now standing around in shock.

Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 01:52

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