US President Donald Trump was evacuated from an annual White House correspondents’ dinner on Saturday night after loud bangs were reportedly heard at the venue. Reports later said that the POTUS was uninjured and safe.
Trump took cover amid the unspecified threat as the Secret Service and other authorities rushed into the banquet hall. “Out of the way, sir!” someone yelled, The Associated Press reported, as authorities ran to the dinner dias through the guests’ crowd.
Purported videos from the press dinner show loud noises being heard at the venue, triggering the US President, First Lady Melania Trump, and other top leaders to take cover. According to news agency AFP, the evacuation was prompted by “loud bangs” heard at the press dinner.
HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the videos.
The Secret Service agents quickly took Trump and others away from the venue thereafter.
A suspect was reportedly in custody after an apparent shooting at the White House correspondents’ dinner, AFP reported. A law enforcement official reportedly said that a shooter opened fire inside the hotel where Trump was attending dinner.
Some people in the crowd reported hearing around five to eight shots, according to the AP report.
Around 2,600 attendees took cover at the dining hall, as members of the National Guard took up position inside the building. People were allowed to leave the premises, but no re-enter.
Additionally, US vice president JD Vance was also present at the dinner, along with defense secretary Pete Hegseth and secretary of state Marco Rubio. Both Trump and Vance are unharmed after the incident, AP reported, citing sources.
‘Let the show go on’: Trump
US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social after the incident and informed that the ‘shooter has been apprehended’. He stated that he suggested the press dinner continue with the complete supervision of the law enforcement agencies.
His post read: “Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we “LET THE SHOW GO ON” but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again. President DONALD J. TRUMP”
The White House correspondents’ dinner will continue after the security incident, with guests being asked to reseat themselves.
