Pandemonium erupted at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner when gunfire rang out, triggering a chaotic response as President Donald Trump and others were swiftly evacuated from the stage by Secret Service agents.
The venue was immediately placed on lockdown after Donald and Melania Trump, JD Vance and a heavily pregnant Karoline Leavitt had been whisked to safety. After some time, it was said the proceedings would continue, but the event was eventually cancelled before dinner was served.
The suspected shooter is in custody. The incident came after Trump flew off the handle at a reporter after being caught lying.
Video capturing the moment showed First Lady Melania’s stunned expression as Secret Service personnel swarmed the stage.
Express US reporter Jack Hobbs was present as the disorder erupted. Here’s his firsthand account of what transpired.
“Shots went off, but it sounded like a tray falling down, then the Secret Service rushed in at top speed and just flattened the President before taking him away from the scene.
“There were extreme sounds of surprise and everyone immediately hid under the table. There was panic and confusion as the Secret Service ran to the President and evacuated him from the stage.
“Many members were not sure what was going on as no details were being relayed to us in the room. But it soon started to look like business was going on as usual as servers started clearing away dishes.
“John Fetterman (US Senator) stopped and helped a woman up from the floor, while another woman appeared to be crying and holding her coworker or significant other.
“Everyone was kind of looking at their phones, trying to figure out what had happened. I was very much shaking.
“It was kind of a mass hysteria moment. People started chanting ‘God Bless America’ and ‘go USA’.”
Weijia Jiang, President of the WHCA and Senior White House Correspondent for CBS News, delivered a short statement confirming the gathering would continue momentarily and additional information would follow.
This marked Trump’s first appearance at the occasion. Nearly 500 retired journalists signed a petition on the eve of the dinner calling on the association “to forcefully demonstrate opposition to President Trump’s efforts to trample freedom of the press.”
WHCA President Jiana said: “The White House Correspondents’ dinner reinforces the importance of the First Amendment in our democracy. As we mark America’s 250th birthday, our choice to gather as journalists, newsmakers and the president in the same room is a reminder of what a free press means to this country and why it must endure. Not for the media or the president, but for the people who depend on it.”
