The 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner marked President Donald Trump’s first appearance at the annual event since returning to office, with mentalist Oz Pearlman scheduled to perform.
The evening was cut short when shots rang out as dinner was being served at the Washington Hilton ballroom. Secret Service agents swarmed the hall, jumping onto tables and yelling “shots fired.” Guests dove under tables. Trump, Melania, Vice President JD Vance and multiple cabinet members were evacuated. Initial reports said a shooter was killed by Secret Service in the hotel lobby, though the FBI confirmed the gunman was later taken into custody.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in my life,” CNN’s Kaitlan Collins reported from inside the ballroom. CNN’s Brian Stelter said mentalist Oz Pearlman had been speaking directly with Trump at his table when the commotion erupted.
Trump later posted on Truth Social, praising law enforcement. “Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely,” he wrote, adding that he had recommended the dinner continue — “Let the Show Go On.”
The shooter’s identity, motive and condition remain unconfirmed.
The photos below capture the scene inside the ballroom as events unfolded.
Attendees leave the venue as a shooter opens fire during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is evacuated as a shooter opens fire during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
Security officials evacuate a guest as a shooter opens fire during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
A guest makes a phone call following a shooting incident during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
A Secret Service agent gestures as a shooter opens fire during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
An attendee is evacuated from the venue as a shooter opens fire during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
An attendee uses a scooter after leaving the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner after a reported shooting incident in Washington, D.C., U.S.
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