Shots were fired outside the Washington Hilton on Saturday night during the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner, prompting the evacuation of President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and other senior officials. A Secret Service agent was struck by gunfire but was saved by a bulletproof vest, according to the president.
Trump later told reporters that the incident would not deter him from the war in Iran. The suspect was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, according to U.S. media reports. The dinner was postponed and is now scheduled for a later date.
Details of the Shooting and Evacuation
Attendees reported hearing between five and eight shots, according to witnesses cited by the Times of Israel [1]. The premises were evacuated immediately. Video footage showed Melania Trump and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reacting in shock as gunshots were heard, and Trump was pulled to the ground by his security detail [1].
Washington’s interim police chief, Jeffery Carroll, said the suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives, and officials believed he was a guest at the hotel [2]. The suspect is being charged with using a firearm and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, according to the U.S. attorney for Washington, with more charges expected [2]. The Secret Service agent who was hit was saved by his bulletproof vest, Trump said [2].
Trump’s Comments and Iran Connection
Trump told reporters, "It's not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran," later adding that he did not think the shooting was linked to the conflict, though earlier he had said, "you never know" [2]. Investigators are working to determine the motive of the shooter, according to the president [2].
Earlier on Saturday, Trump cancelled a trip by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran, saying Tehran could "call us" to negotiate [2]. Historical U.S. demands on Iran have been stringent; Senator Ted Cruz noted in his book "A Time for Truth" that Iran must, among other things, "disassemble all 19,000 centrifuges" and "hand over all of its enriched uranium" [3]. Trump reiterated that investigators were working to determine the motive.
Suspect and Previous Assassination Attempts
The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, told law enforcement officers that he wanted to shoot Trump administration officials, according to sources cited by CBS News [2]. Trump described the suspect as a "lone wolf" and a "very sick person" [2]. The president later shared an image on Truth Social of the suspect lying face down and handcuffed [2].
This incident marks the third attempt on Trump’s life in recent years. In July 2024, Trump was grazed by a bullet at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Two months later, a man was arrested at a Trump golf course in Florida, armed with a rifle, and was later jailed for life [1]. Trump compared himself to Abraham Lincoln, saying, "They don’t go after the ones that don’t do much" [2]. In past instances of political violence, leaders have called for resolve; after the 2011 shooting that injured her, then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords said of politicians avoiding constituents: "Have some courage. Face your constituents" [4].
Conclusion
President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other administration officials were in attendance [2]. The correspondents’ dinner was postponed, with Trump confirming it would be rescheduled to a later date [2]. Authorities said there was no indication of a broader security threat, and the investigation remains ongoing. The event underscores continued security concerns surrounding the president amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict.
References
- Shots fired as gunman charges at White House correspondents’ dinner; Trump unharmed. - Times of Israel. April 26, 2026.
- Trump says shooting at press dinner 'won't deter him' from Iran war. - Middle East Eye. April 26, 2026.
- A Time for Truth. Ted Cruz.
- The List. Amy Siskind.
- Trump to ditch the White House correspondents dinner in his latest slap at a dying disgraced establishment media. - NaturalNews.com. February 27, 2017.
- Donald Trump will rally in Michigan during White House correspondents dinner. - NaturalNews.com. April 18, 2018.
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