A dramatic scene unfolded at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night when President Donald Trump was abruptly escorted off stage by Secret Service agents after reports of gunfire inside the Washington Hilton.
Vice President JD Vance and members of Trump’s Cabinet, who were also in attendance, were quickly evacuated. According to CNN sources, both Trump and Vance are safe, and administration officials confirmed that Cabinet members were unharmed.
Witnesses reported hearing Secret Service agents shout “shots fired” as they rushed to secure the president and other officials. The Secret Service later announced on X that one person was taken into custody.
Trump, now in a secure location, posted on Truth Social that a “shooter has been apprehended” and praised law enforcement for acting “quickly and bravely.” In a subsequent post, he said he was returning to the White House at the request of law enforcement and would hold a press conference shortly.
CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, who was present at the dinner, described being “a few feet away” from the gunman as shots rang out. “All of a sudden a guy with a weapon, it was a very, very serious weapon, it starts shooting, and I happened to have been a few feet away from him as he was shooting,” Blitzer recounted live on air.
The incident temporarily halted one of Washington’s most high-profile annual events, attended by journalists, politicians, and celebrities. While details remain limited, the swift response by Secret Service and law enforcement prevented further harm.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Trump has indicated he intends to resume his public schedule following the press conference.
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