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Englishعربي
Englishعربي
President Donald Trump was safely evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington after a gunman opened fire outside the main ballroom at the Washington Hilton hotel, with the suspect now in custody and facing felony charges. The 31-year-old man from California, armed with multiple firearms including a long gun and knives, rushed through a security checkpoint and fired at least three shots, prompting chaos among attendees including top White House officials and journalists. According to Trump himself, he admitted he should have gotten down faster when the shots began, as described in his post-incident remarks reported by The Independent.
Witnesses inside the ballroom recounted the terrifying moments, with one journalist noting he immediately recognized the sounds as gunshots rather than a dropped tray, followed by Secret Service agents swarming Trump and rushing him to safety. A server at the event provided an exclusive account to The Independent, describing how the suspect pulled out the weapon and advanced toward the ballroom amid the high-profile gathering. Bloomberg confirmed the president and Vice President JD Vance were unharmed, with the lone gunman detained shortly after and now charged with firearms and assault offenses; he is set for arraignment on Monday.
The incident has ignited sharp criticism over security lapses at the event, particularly as it marked Trump’s first appearance at the dinner as president—a traditionally tense affair between the administration and the press. Kari Lake, a prominent Trump ally, called out the lack of photo ID checks or name cross-referencing for attendees, questioning how the shooter got so close despite the president’s presence, as reported by The Independent. Debate continues on whether the dinner should have been halted immediately, with reactions divided: some praised its resumption, while others decried the decision amid the fresh trauma.
This shooting underscores the volatile atmosphere surrounding the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, an annual event known for its mix of roasts, awkward tensions, and headlines—recall how President Obama famously skewered Trump there in 2011 over the birther controversy. Trump’s attendance already sparked boycotts from some journalists uncomfortable with dining alongside him, reigniting broader strains in press-White House relations. Attendees, media members, and political figures were directly affected, with evacuations disrupting what was meant to be a night of satire and networking.
Looking ahead, federal officials are investigating the motive behind the attack, though details remain limited. The quick apprehension of the suspect averted worse outcomes, but the episode raises urgent questions about event security for such gatherings, especially with high-profile figures like Trump drawing intense scrutiny. As the nation processes the close call, it highlights ongoing risks in politically charged public spaces and the delicate balance of the correspondents’ dinner tradition.