(US, 26th) On the evening of the 25th Eastern Time, gunshots were reported at the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner. Senior government officials, including U.S. President Trump, were urgently evacuated. There are currently no reports of injuries.
After being escorted from the scene, Trump posted on social media: “Spent an extraordinary night in Washington. The Secret Service and law enforcement officers performed exceptionally, acting swiftly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended. I suggested that the event ‘should go on,’ but ultimately, we will fully comply with law enforcement’s guidance. They will make a decision soon. Whatever the final decision, tonight will be very different from what was originally planned, and we may have to start over.”
The White House Correspondents' Association dinner was held on the night of the 25th (morning of the 26th Malaysia time) at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
After the incident, the Secret Service and other law enforcement personnel rushed into the banquet hall immediately, with some guests hiding under tables. Trump and First Lady Melania quickly left the venue under security escort. Vice President Vance and Trump cabinet members who were in attendance were also swiftly evacuated.
Footage of the dinner shows several security personnel rushing into the crowd, likely to evacuate other attending government officials. After Trump was escorted out, some individuals carrying rifles also appeared on stage.
CNN reported that Trump is safe, and a government official stated that all cabinet members were unharmed.
At the time, there were hundreds of reporters and celebrities in the banquet hall awaiting Trump’s speech. After the suspected shooting took place, the hall was immediately evacuated, but most attendees were trapped inside, with hundreds of guests hiding under tables. Some said they heard what sounded like five to eight gunshots.
The White House Correspondents' Association was founded in 1914 as an independent organization made up of journalists who cover the White House and the U.S. president. The association has held annual dinners since 1921 as a social event to strengthen communication between the media and government officials, with the President’s attendance and speech once becoming a tradition.