President Donald Trump and other senior U.S. government officials were evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., after gunshots rang out shortly after it began on Saturday.
At about 8:35 p.m. ET, at least five gunshots were heard at the event at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
Mr. Trump, who was sitting next to his wife Melania Trump on a podium at the front of the banquet hall, was immediately surrounded by U.S. secret agents, forcing several hundred attendees to hide under tables.
It appears that no one was seriously injured. The shooter was taken into custody.
Here are some of the chaotic scenes that unfolded after the shooting.
First Lady Melania Trump and US President Donald Trump attend the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner (Washington, DC, April 25, 2026) This will be the first time the president will attend the event, which he has previously avoided.
Nathan Howard | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Attendees hide under a table after an incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Annual Dinner on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Nathan Howard | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Federal agents pull out guns after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026.
Nathan Howard | Getty Images
On April 25, 2026, US President Donald Trump is escorted out after a gunman opens fire at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, DC. Screen capture of this video.
Bo Erickson | Reuters
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is rushed by Secret Service agents after a loud bang is heard during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026, in Washington, DC.
Mandel Gunn | AFP | Getty Images
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) is evacuated after a gunman opens fire during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
Officials stand guard after an incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Annual Dinner on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Andrew Harnik | Getty Images
Law enforcement officers respond to reports of a shooting during the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington, DC.
Yuri Gripas Bloomberg | Getty Images
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel walks after a shooting at the White House Correspondents Association Annual Dinner on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC, USA.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
Attendees hug as they leave after a loud crash is heard during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026, in Washington, DC.
Mandel Gunn | AFP | Getty Images
Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller helps his wife, Katie Miller, after an incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Annual Dinner on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Officials stand guard after an incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Annual Dinner on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Andrew Harnik | Getty Images
A photo of the suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, posted on President Donald Trump’s Truth Social account on April 25, 2026.
@realdonaldtrump |Society of Truth
Cole Thomas Allen, the suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooting, lies on the floor after being restrained by law enforcement officers in Washington, DC, USA, April 25, 2026. Screenshot of this video.
Bill Frischling | CQ Roll Call | Reuters
Read CNBC’s complete coverage of the shooting here.
