Dan Scavino, a longtime adviser to President Donald Trump, tried to start a USA chant right after a shooting broke out at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The incident happened at the Washington Hilton, where a gunman opened fire near the ballroom, sending the room into chaos. While law enforcement worked to secure the area, Scavino climbed onto a chair, pumped his fist, and shouted, “USA! USA! USA!”
According to Mediaite, the gesture did not go over well. Video clips that spread across X showed the crowd mostly responding with silence or actively shushing him. One person nearby made a brief attempt to join in but quickly stopped when it became clear no one else was interested.
Reporters on the scene, including Peter Hamby, noted that even Trump supporters in the room rejected the attempt. Hamby called the moment “terrible” on X, saying that “absolutely no one wanted to hear it” while the situation was still dangerous.
Scavino’s chant attempt came as Secret Service agents were evacuating Trump with weapons drawn across the ballroom
At the time of the chant, Secret Service agents were actively working to evacuate President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump from the venue. Armed law enforcement officers were seen moving through the ballroom with their weapons drawn, scanning the crowd, which explains why attendees were focused on the security situation rather than a chant.
For a closer look at how Trump was rushed out of the event, the details of where the shooting took place make the moment even more striking. The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, a teacher from California.
According to interim D.C. police chief Jeffery W. Carroll, Allen charged a Secret Service checkpoint carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives before exchanging gunfire with officers. Authorities believe Allen acted alone, but they are still investigating whether the president was the specific target.
About two hours after the shooting, President Trump held a press conference at the White House briefing room. When Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked why these threats keep happening, Trump compared himself to historical figures like Abraham Lincoln.
According to The Daily Beast, he said, “Just take a look at the names, they’re the big names, and I hate to say I’m honored by that, but I’ve done a lot.” He also said, “It comes with the territory, and if you want to do a great job, I really believe that.”
Trump also used the press conference to push for his planned $400 million ballroom project, arguing that the Washington Hilton was not a secure enough venue. He pointed to the attack as evidence that a new facility at the White House is needed, saying the planned room would include “gunproof, it’s bulletproof glass.”
Trump has also been vocal on other national issues recently, including his warnings about the future of U.S. Olympic teams and his push for new regulations in collegiate sports. A security gap that allowed the shooter to get close to the event is also under review.
A volunteer reported that the suspect appeared to assemble a long weapon in a lightly monitored area near a terrace-level entrance previously used for storing bar carts. That space reportedly had no security at the time, allowing Allen to move toward the main event space with little resistance.
Published: Apr 26, 2026 07:15 am