Trump was rushed out of his own correspondents’ dinner after shots rang out, and the detail about where it happened is haunting

President Donald Trump was rushed out of the Washington Hilton hotel, after gunshots were heard outside the ballroom where the annual media gala was scheduled to take place. The incident occurred as the president and the first lady had been seated before the start of the event, forcing a sudden evacuation. Reports indicate that people inside the room were yelling “Get down!” and “Stay down!” while attendees scrambled to take cover behind their tables.

The United States Secret Service confirmed that the shooting happened at a screening area near the hotel. In a statement following the incident, the agency noted that one individual is currently in custody. The agency has not yet released information regarding the condition of those involved.

Al Jazeera producer Chris Sheridan, who was on the scene, provided a firsthand account of the moments after the shots rang out. “We could smell the powder. We immediately dove to the ground. It was directly behind me,” Sheridan said, as detailed by Al Jazeera. He estimated that he heard approximately five gunshots, fired directly behind the doors leading to the ballroom entrance, and noted a heavy police presence working to clear the area.

This is far from the first time Trump has faced a serious security breach

President Trump later posted on Truth Social to confirm that he and his Cabinet members remained unharmed. “The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition,” Trump said. He also expressed gratitude toward the security teams, stating, “They acted quickly and bravely.” Trump mentioned that he had recommended the event continue as planned but said he would defer to the judgment of law enforcement officials. He confirmed he would address the public from the White House within the hour and said he had spoken with event organizers about rescheduling the gala within 30 days.

This is not the first time the president has faced a dangerous security situation. In July 2024, Trump was wounded in his upper right ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a shooter fired multiple shots from an AR-15 style rifle. That incident resulted in the death of spectator Corey Comperatore and led to the resignation of the Secret Service director. Amid a broader pattern of threats, a Missouri woman was earlier this year charged with plotting to kill the president after stealing a firearm and detailing her plans in text messages.

Other incidents have spanned his entire political career. In 2016, a man attempted to grab a police officer’s pistol at a Las Vegas rally, and later that year, another man caused a panic at a Reno rally by shouting “gun,” though he was found to be unarmed. There have also been several ricin-laced letter attempts, including one in 2020 that resulted in a nearly 22-year prison sentence for the sender.

More recently, Ryan Routh was apprehended near the Trump International Golf Club in Florida while wielding a rifle, an act for which he was sentenced to life in prison in February 2026. A Pakistani man, Asif Merchant, was also convicted in March 2026 for plotting a murder-for-hire scheme on behalf of Iran. On February 22, 2026, agents shot and killed an individual carrying a shotgun and a gas canister onto the grounds of Mar-a-Lago while the president was in Washington, DC. Questions about the administration’s broader security posture have also extended beyond direct threats to the president, including scrutiny of a DHS counterterrorism official recently accused of financial misconduct and conduct that security experts say raises blackmail risks.

Following the events at the Washington Hilton, international leaders began responding. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo posted on X to express relief that the president and first lady were unharmed. “We send our respect,” she said. “Violence should never be the way.”