April 25, 2026 / 11:19 PM EDT
President Trump spoke to reporters on Saturday night following a security incident during the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner, where shots were fired at the venue. Despite the chaos, the president expressed a desire for the event to continue after he was evacuated.
The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Cole Allen from Torrance, California, is currently in custody and receiving medical attention. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the investigation is still ongoing, with charges expected to be filed soon.
During the incident, one Secret Service agent was struck by gunfire but was saved by his bulletproof vest. Trump noted that he was "very far away" from the situation when the shots were fired and reassured that the suspect had not breached the doors of the room.
Reflecting on the incident, Trump remarked, "It's a dangerous profession" when asked about threats to his safety. He emphasized the swift response of the Secret Service and law enforcement, announcing that footage portraying the events would be made available.
The evacuation followed reports of gunfire shortly after 8:30 p.m. ET, causing attendees to seek cover under tables. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were quickly escorted off-stage by Secret Service. According to sources, the suspect was armed with both a shotgun and a handgun.
Initially mistaking the noise for a falling tray, Trump said, "But it was a gun. Some people understood that pretty quickly; other people didn’t." He acknowledged Melania's awareness of the situation and noted they were swiftly escorted to safety.
The president confirmed that the injured officer was in good spirits and credited the effectiveness of his bulletproof vest in preventing serious injury.
"This was an event dedicated to freedom of speech that was supposed to bring together members of both parties with members of the press," Trump stated. "In a certain way, it did. I saw a room that was just totally unified. It was, in one way, very beautiful."
Trump announced plans to reschedule the event within 30 days, mentioning that he "fought like hell" to keep it going, but ultimately deferred to law enforcement’s recommendations.
Addressing the broader issue of political violence, Trump asserted that "no country is immune," adding, "It comes with the territory."
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