President Trump appeared to be unharmed and a suspect was detained after gunfire broke out near the White House correspondents’ dinner. Trump said that he would soon hold a news conference at the White House.
“I Tried My Best to Stay” – President Trump Says
President Donald Trump stated that he “wanted to stay tonight” following the shooting that occurred at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
“We wanted to stay tonight,” Mr. Trump told reporters at the White House after safely departing the event. “I tried my best to stay.”
Earlier, Mr. Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he wanted to “Go on with the show, but will be following law enforcement instructions completely,” later adding: “Law enforcement has requested that we leave the venue according to protocol, and we will do so immediately.”
Mr. Trump indicated that he would coordinate with the event organizers to reschedule within 30 days.
“We will do it again,” he said. “We will do it over. We are not going to let anyone dictate our society. We are not going to cancel things just because that’s not possible.”
Gunfire Erupts at White House Correspondents’ Dinner; Suspect Apprehended
AFP and eyewitnesses have confirmed that gunshots were fired while U.S. President Donald Trump was attending the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on the evening of April 25 (local time).
Loud blasts echoed through the venue, forcing attendees at the dinner—including reporters and guests—to seek cover under tables.
Armed tactical teams responded immediately, evacuating Mr. Trump from the event. Reuters reported that footage from the scene showed the U.S. President being escorted away by Secret Service agents.
Police cordoned off the Washington Hilton, the hotel where the event was being held, as helicopters circled overhead.
According to preliminary information from the Secret Service, the shooting suspect has been taken into custody.
CNN, citing security sources, reported that the suspect has been identified as a 30-year-old man from California.
Aides to Mr. Trump later confirmed that he remains safe.
Vice President JD Vance and Cabinet members present at the event were also quickly ushered out.
A government official cited by CNN stated that other members of the Cabinet are also safe.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is an annual gala hosted by the White House Correspondents’ Association, first established in 1921. Approximately 2,600 people attended this year’s event.
Every year, the sitting president is invited to attend and deliver a speech. This marked the first time Mr. Trump attended the event, as he had declined to participate in previous years.
Suspect Heavily Armed, Captured, and Undergoing Treatment
The New York Times, citing two sources familiar with the matter, reported that the suspect has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California.
Mr. Trump emphasized that the suspect was carrying “multiple types of weapons” when he appeared outside the ballroom area.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that authorities recovered a rifle along with numerous shell casings at the scene, though he has not yet released further details regarding the specific type or quantity of weaponry.
The suspect is currently alive, in custody, and undergoing treatment at a hospital for injuries sustained during his apprehension.
CNN Reporter: Gunman Opened Fire Inside Security Zone
Veteran CNN journalist Wolf Blitzer, who was present at the dinner, stated he was standing only a few feet away from the gunman when the incident occurred.
According to Mr. Blitzer, the individual managed to enter the secure zone after passing through metal detectors and then opened fire while near ground level.
“The gunshots were very loud, very terrifying, and caused all of us to panic. We had absolutely no idea what was happening,” he said.
It remains unclear how the suspect managed to penetrate the event’s strict security perimeter.
Mr. Trump Arrives Back at the White House
President Trump has returned to the White House along with the press pool covering tonight’s events. He stated that he will hold a press conference shortly.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is currently at the West Wing’s front entrance in a tuxedo, while security patrols have been deployed to ensure the safety of the White House grounds following the incident.
“Historical Ghosts” at the Washington Hilton
Following the incident, Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social confirming the “gunman” had been neutralized and praising the “quick and brave” response of the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement agencies.
“It was an active evening in Washington D.C. The U.S. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job—fast and brave. The shooter is in custody. I suggested the program continue but will follow the directions of Law Enforcement completely. Whatever is decided, tonight will certainly be different than originally planned, and we will have to redo it another time,” he wrote.
President Trump also announced he would return to the White House for a press briefing within 30 minutes, emphasizing that the First Lady, the Vice President, and the entire Cabinet are safe.
Notably, the incident occurred at the Washington Hilton—a site marked by a shocking assassination attempt in American history.
Over 40 years ago, on March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot by gunman John Hinckley Jr. as he left this same hotel. He was seriously wounded by a bullet that pierced his lung, causing severe internal bleeding, but he survived after treatment.
Inside the Hotel as Shots Fired
A Reuters photojournalist attending the White House Correspondents’ Dinner recalled hearing four to six loud bangs inside the hotel, though they were not in the immediate vicinity of the dinner.
Dinner attendees immediately stopped talking and began shouting, “Get down, get down!” The shooting suspect was arrested and is alive.
Hundreds of guests crawled under tables as Secret Service agents moved in. Approximately 2,600 people participated in the event.
Mr. Trump and First Lady Melania ducked behind the podium before being ushered out.
World Leaders Shaken by Shooting at Event Attended by Trump
World leaders expressed their profound shock following a shooting at a gala attended by President Trump in Washington, while simultaneously issuing a unified condemnation of the violence.
“This is an absolutely unacceptable incident. Violence has no place in a democracy. I wish to express my full support for President Donald Trump,” French President Emmanuel Macron posted on the social media platform X on April 26.
Earlier, Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old resident of California, attempted to bypass a security checkpoint inside the Washington Hilton hotel on the evening of April 25. He sought to gain access to the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, an event attended by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Allen, carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives, attempted to circumvent the security screening but was intercepted by U.S. Secret Service agents before he could enter the ballroom. Surveillance footage shows the suspect rushing past a metal detector. Security forces immediately turned toward the suspect and drew their weapons.
The suspect engaged in a shootout with U.S. Secret Service agents, striking an officer wearing a bulletproof vest before being subdued.
President Trump, First Lady Melania, Vice President JD Vance, and other officials were evacuated after the gunfire broke out. All guests attending the event remained safe.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “shocked” by what occurred at the White House Correspondents’ dinner. “Any attack on democratic institutions or the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” Starmer wrote on X.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has had a strained relationship with Trump in recent months, also condemned the attack targeting the U.S. President.
“Violence is never the answer. Humanity can only move forward through democracy, coexistence, and peace,” he stated.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, an ally of Trump, also affirmed that “there is no place for violence in politics.” Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, asserted that “political violence has no place in a democracy,” while expressing “relief” that no fatalities occurred.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he and his wife were “shaken by the attempted assassination” targeting President Trump.
“We are also relieved that the President and First Lady are safe and in good spirits. We wish the injured police officer a full and speedy recovery and appreciate the swift and decisive action of the U.S. Secret Service,” according to Netanyahu’s post on X.
Trump praised the U.S. Secret Service as well as security forces for acting “very quickly” to stop the suspect before he entered the ballroom. The President revealed that the officer who was shot is in stable condition thanks to wearing a bulletproof vest.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady, and the Vice President are all safe and uninjured.” “Violence has no place in a democracy and must be condemned unequivocally,” he wrote on X.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shared his thoughts with “all those affected by this disturbing incident,” affirming that “political violence has no place in any democracy.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum remarked that “it is fortunate that President Trump and his wife are safe following the recent incident” and that “violence is never the solution.”
The Washington D.C. Police Chief stated that the suspect acted alone and his specific target and motive remain unclear, although President Trump believes he was the target.
Trump was previously the target of an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024. A few months later, another man was arrested after the U.S. Secret Service spotted a rifle barrel poking through bushes at the edge of a golf course in West Palm Beach, where Trump was playing.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated he was “deeply shocked by this disturbing shooting.”
“It is a relief to know that President Trump, the First Lady, and other guests are safe. I send my prayers to him and wish for his continued safety and health,” Sharif wrote on X.
Leaders from many other nations, including Japan, Ukraine, Italy, and the Netherlands, also condemned the violent attack.
The suspect, Allen, is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in Washington on April 27 on charges of using a firearm during an act of violence and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
U.S.-Iran Negotiations Stall
The Iranian Foreign Minister has departed Pakistan without meeting U.S. envoys, as diplomatic efforts to maintain a ceasefire show no clear signs of progress.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed Pakistan on the evening of April 25 (local time) with no indication that U.S. envoys had arrived in Islamabad to participate in indirect talks, according to two Pakistani officials. Mr. Araghchi was seen off by Pakistani officials at the airport following the conclusion of his visit.
During his time in Pakistan, he met with Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss Iran’s “red lines” in the negotiations. He stated that Tehran would continue to coordinate with Pakistan’s mediation efforts until a result is achieved.
It remains unclear when President Donald Trump’s envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will arrive in Islamabad. The White House has not yet issued a comment on the matter.
An indefinite ceasefire has helped reduce much of the fighting, but the economic impact continues to mount as shipments of oil, liquefied natural gas, and fertilizer are disrupted by the near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a strategic maritime route that carries approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil during peacetime.
Iranian officials expressed skepticism regarding the ability to trust the United States after previous negotiations over the nuclear program yielded no results and led to attacks from the U.S. and Israel.
Past negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, including a round of talks in Pakistan lasting more than 20 hours as well as contacts in Geneva, have all failed to reach an agreement.
Meanwhile, tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate. Brent crude prices remain nearly 50% higher than before the conflict erupted. Iran is alleged to have attacked three vessels over the past week, while the U.S. maintains a blockade of Iranian ports.
On April 25, Iran resumed commercial flights from Tehran International Airport for the first time since the conflict broke out two months ago. Flights are scheduled to arrive in Istanbul, Muscat, and Medina.
According to published figures, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 3,375 people in Iran and more than 2,490 in Lebanon. Additionally, 23 people have been killed in Israel and more than a dozen in Arab Gulf nations.
Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend the ceasefire for an additional three weeks, although Hezbollah forces have not yet participated in the negotiation process.
First Lady Melania Trump Experiences “Shaken Moment” Following Shooting at Gala
First Lady Melania Trump endured a “shaken experience” as she and President Donald Trump were emergency evacuated by security forces.
According to officials, the incident occurred when an armed individual opened fire at security forces near the venue of the White House Correspondents’ Association annual dinner on the evening of April 25 (U.S. time), an event attended by President Donald Trump. U.S. Secret Service agents immediately deployed protection protocols, removing the President and the First Lady from the danger zone.
Approximately two hours after the incident, speaking at the White House, President Donald Trump stated that an agent had been struck by gunfire but was protected by a bulletproof vest and is currently in stable condition. The suspect has been taken into custody.
Mr. Trump also confirmed that all federal officials, including the First Lady, the Vice President, and Cabinet members, are safe. On the Truth Social platform, he described it as “a volatile evening” and praised the rapid response of law enforcement.
During the press briefing, President Trump specifically mentioned his wife, acknowledging that she had endured a rare and stressful situation.
“It was quite a shaken experience for her,” he said, noting that while the event unfolded very quickly, the security response was “extremely timely.”
Unlike the two previous assassination attempts targeting President Trump in Pennsylvania and Florida, Melania Trump was physically present at the scene this time, facing more clearly the security risks inherent to the role of First Lady.
According to President Trump, his wife had warned him multiple times about the dangerous nature of his job, emphasizing that these risks also directly affect the family.
President Trump stated that at the time of the incident, he and the First Lady heard a loud noise and initially could not determine if it was the sound of a falling tray or a gunshot.
“I was hoping it was the sound of a falling tray, but it wasn’t,” he said.
Immediately thereafter, security forces quickly moved the two of them out of the area. The entire process took place in just a matter of seconds, leaving no time for personal reaction.
When asked about her feelings following the incident, First Lady Melania Trump did not offer a public comment.
According to law enforcement sources, on the evening of April 25, a man carrying a gun and a knife bypassed a security checkpoint outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the event gathering hundreds of journalists, politicians, and guests was taking place.
The individual then moved quickly toward the main ballroom before being subdued and arrested by U.S. Secret Service agents. During this process, gunshots were fired, causing many in attendance to panic.
Following the incident, organizers canceled the remainder of the program. President Trump stated he would coordinate to reschedule the event within the next month and affirmed that security measures would be bolstered.
Trump’s Approval Rating in U.S. Plummets, Reaching Just 36%
President Trump’s approval rating continues to hover at the lowest level of his term, amid a prolonged conflict with Iran, rising fuel prices, and controversial statements that have sparked public concern.
A survey released by Reuters/Ipsos on April 21 shows that not only is his approval rating declining, but U.S. President Donald Trump’s personal image is also being called into question within the United States.
The six-day poll, which concluded on April 20, recorded that only 36% of Americans approve of the way Mr. Trump is governing the country, unchanged from the previous month and significantly lower than the peak of 47% seen shortly after he took office in January 2025.
Concerns Over Temperament and Leadership Ability Rise
One notable point in this survey is the increase in skepticism among the American public regarding the President’s temperament and mental clarity. Only 26% of respondents believe Mr. Trump is “even-tempered,” while the majority expressed doubt or disagreed with this assessment.
Even within the Republican Party, opinions are divided: 53% of Republican voters evaluate Mr. Trump as even-tempered, but 46% believe the opposite. Meanwhile, only 7% of Democratic voters shared this positive view.
Notably, up to 51% of Americans believe that Mr. Trump’s mental clarity has worsened over the past year. This percentage includes 14% of Republican voters, 54% of independent voters, and 85% of Democratic voters, indicating widespread concern across multiple political groups.
These concerns stem in part from a series of recent controversial statements by Mr. Trump. The U.S. President once posted a threat on social media to “obliterate Iranian civilization,” while simultaneously attacking Pope Leo as “weak” after the Pope criticized the U.S. war against Iran.
He has also repeatedly threatened to destroy all of Tehran’s critical infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, using language that has been judged as harsh and unrestrained.
Furthermore, Mr. Trump previously concerned allies by mentioning the possibility of using force against Denmark—a NATO member—in relation to U.S. ambitions to annex Greenland, raising questions about whether the U.S. has changed its foreign policy approach.
Economic Pressures
Parallel to the controversy over his leadership style, the economic impact of the Iran war is eroding Mr. Trump’s support levels. The conflict, which erupted in late February, has pushed U.S. gasoline prices sharply higher, directly affecting consumer spending.
According to the survey, only 26% of Americans are satisfied with the President’s handling of the cost of living—matching his lowest level ever. This is seen as a critical indicator, as the economy is typically a key factor governing voter behavior in the U.S.
Regarding foreign policy, public opinion in the land of the stars and stripes remains divided. Approximately 36% of respondents support U.S. airstrikes against Iran, nearly unchanged from before.
However, only 26% believe these military actions are “worth the cost,” and only 25% believe the strikes will make America safer.
The survey also shows that Americans tend to view Pope Leo more positively than Mr. Trump. Approximately 60% of respondents expressed a favorable view of the Pope, significantly higher than the 36% for the U.S. President.
Meanwhile, only 16% of Americans support withdrawing from NATO—an idea Mr. Trump has mentioned multiple times—indicating that the majority of voters still wish to maintain the U.S. role in this vital military alliance.
The survey was conducted among 4,557 adults across the United States, with a margin of error of approximately 2 percentage points, as a fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is expected to expire on the evening of April 22, local time.
