Trump escapes unharmed after shooting at reporters dinner

Following the shooting at the White House correspondents’ dinner, world leaders took to social media to condemn political violence and express relief that President Trump was not injured.

Leaders from neighboring Canada and Mexico, with whom Trump has had strained relations, were quick to speak out.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a message on Twitter that it was good that Trump and his wife were safe, adding that “violence should never be the way to go.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shared similar sentiments and said his “heart goes out to all those who have been shaken by this disturbing incident.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed “best wishes for his continued safety and well-being”, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said: “My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish him well for his continued safety and well-being.”

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also spoke to X, saying, “I am relieved to know that President Trump is safe after the terrible shooting. Violence cannot be tolerated anywhere in the world.”

Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., said the suspect faces two counts of using a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence and assaulting federal officers using a dangerous weapon.

He said the suspect would appear in federal court on Monday.

President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and other Cabinet members were evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Saturday night after shots were fired in the lobby of the Washington Hilton hotel.

Officials said the incident occurred outside the ballroom where Trump and other guests were seated. Trump said he fought hard to get the dinner rescheduled, but security agents told him he had to leave because it was safe.

Trump then addressed reporters from the White House, describing a “room that was completely integrated” and thanking security agents for their quick work. A suspect is in custody, the FBI said.

Trump was attending the media event for the first time as president. The incident was investigated due to strained relations between the administration and members of the press.

Trump said the attacker had been captured and was believed to be from California, adding that law enforcement officers “went over to his apartment.”

After Trump said the shooter was a “lone wolf”, the president said he believed the incident was not linked to the US-Israel war with Iran.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who was on stage with Trump during the press briefing, also said the investigation is “ongoing” and that he expected “charges will be filed shortly.”

FBI Director Kash Patel said during his remarks that his agency “is conducting witness interviews as we speak.”

Trump said he wanted to stay at the White House correspondents’ dinner but was told by security agents he had to leave.

“We wanted to stay tonight,” Trump said. “I’ll tell you, I fought so hard to stay.” But concerns about their safety came first.

The US President said the shooting was “deeply traumatic” for First Lady Melania and praised law enforcement several times for their quick response.

President Donald Trump said the suspect was armed with several weapons before he was stopped by the Secret Service. One officer was shot, but was protected by a bulletproof vest.

“He was shot at very close range with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job,” Trump said.

Trump is addressing reporters at the White House after he and other top US leaders were removed from the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night following a shooting outside the ballroom.

Trump described the White House correspondents’ dinner as an evening of unity, saying, “I saw a room that was completely unified.”

Trump is addressing the media with his acting attorney general, homeland security secretary and FBI director.

DW Washington correspondent Misha Komadovsky posted to X that there was no security check before entering the lobby of the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington DC.

Komadowski was at the event along with other journalists covering the White House and the Trump presidency.

But members of the press and politicians and others attending the actual dinner had to undergo screening and have their bags checked before entering the ballroom inside the hotel.

Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, said in emotional remarks from the stage that Trump would hold a briefing at the White House.

“I said earlier tonight that journalism is a public service, because when there’s an emergency, we run toward the crisis, not away from it. And on a night when we’re thinking about the freedoms in the First Amendment, we should also think about how fragile they are.” “We would do this again,” he said.

The White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner is organized by the association that ensures media access to the President.

The White House Correspondents’ Association works independently of the White House.

A man with a gun tried to breach security at the White House correspondents’ dinner Saturday night, officials said.

An FBI official told Reuters that a man armed with a gun opened fire on the Secret Service agent. The agent was hit in an area with protective gear and was not harmed, the official said.

All federal officials, including Trump, were safe.

“Law enforcement has requested that we leave the premises in accordance with protocol, which we will do immediately,” Trump said in another Truth Social post.

“I will be holding a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House press briefing room,” Trump said. “The first lady, the vice president and all Cabinet members are in perfect condition.”

Trump said that there will be a press conference in 30 minutes. He also said that the White House correspondents’ dinner would also be rescheduled within 30 days.

The US Secret Service said it is investigating the firing incident.

Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the U.S. Secret Service, said, “The President and the First Lady are safe, along with all escorts.” “One person is in custody. The condition of those involved is not yet known, and law enforcement is actively assessing the situation.”

Trump posted on Truth Social that a shooter had been captured at the reporters’ dinner.

“The DC Secret Service and law enforcement did a fantastic job one evening. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been captured, and I have recommended that we ‘let the show go on’ but will be guided solely by law enforcement,” he wrote in a post.

He said, “They will make a decision soon. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be very different from the plan, and we will obviously have to do it again.”

This is the first time that Trump is attending the event after boycotting it in previous years.

According to pool reports, several US Secret Service agents shouted “shots fired”.

There appeared to be confusion as some journalists said they did not hear loud bangs, while others did.