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| ▲ U.S. Secret Service agents respond near President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump during the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington on April 25, 2026, in this photo released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap) |
(2nd LD) Trump-evacuation
(2nd LD) Trump evacuated from White House correspondents' dinner; alleged shooter in detention
(ATTN: RECASTS headline; UPDATES throughout)
By Song Sang-ho
WASHINGTON, April 25 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday an alleged shooter had been apprehended as he was rushed out of the annual White House correspondents' dinner at a hotel in Washington after the sound of gunfire was heard.
Trump was sitting on the stage in front of a hotel ballroom during the event hosted by the White House Correspondents' Association. Following loud sounds, Trump was forced to duck and escorted out of the place by the Secret Service personnel.
In a social media post, the president said that he, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and all other cabinet members were "in perfect condition." He was set to issue a statement at a press briefing Saturday night.
"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," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He also said he recommended that "We let the show go on." But later, he said that law enforcement requested he leave the hotel premises in accordance with protocol and that he will hold a press conference at the White House.
"The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition. We will be speaking to you in a half an hour," he wrote.
"I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 30 days."
The gunfire took place despite tight security around the hotel ahead of the dinner.
The attendees also included Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel.
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