US President Donald Trump said “I guess” when asked whether he was the intended target of a man who charged a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Association annual dinner, after a shooting scare triggered panic and a massive security response.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the venue on Saturday night after loud bangs rang out, sending hundreds of guests diving under tables. Attendees froze before screams of “Get down, get down!” echoed through the hall, as heavily armed Secret Service agents stormed the dining area.
The incident comes after two assassination attempts on Trump in 2024 during his reelection campaign. In July 2024, he was shot and wounded in the upper ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, while the gunman was killed by security personnel.
According to officials, a man armed with multiple weapons, including a shotgun, attempted to breach security near the event’s main screening area. An FBI official said the suspect fired at a Secret Service agent, but the bullet struck protective gear and the agent was not harmed. Trump later said one officer was shot but saved by a bulletproof vest and is now “in great shape.”
Trump said the suspect charged a security checkpoint and was “totally subdued” by security personnel. He added that the suspect is from California and described him as “probably a lone shooter,” saying authorities believe he was a “lone wolf actor,” though the investigation is ongoing.
The President said he and the First Lady were “very quickly rushed off the stage,” adding that Vice President JD Vance and other officials were present and safely secured. He praised the response of the Secret Service and law enforcement, calling it “incredibly acted upon.”
Trump urged Americans to resolve differences peacefully, saying the event had brought together people from across political ideologies. “In light of this evening’s events, I ask that all Americans recommit with their hearts to resolving our differences peacefully,” he said.
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said the probe is ongoing and charges will be filed shortly, with law enforcement working on search warrants. The FBI’s counter-terrorism unit is leading the investigation, examining ballistics including a long gun and shell casings, and conducting witness interviews.
FBI Director Kash Patel said agents responded rapidly alongside other agencies and secured the scene, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Trump said the venue was “not a particularly secure building” and stressed the need for enhanced security infrastructure, including a proposed “war room” with drone-proof and bulletproof glass.
He also linked the incident to past assassination attempts, recalling earlier threats in Butler, Pennsylvania, and Palm Beach, Florida. Despite the attack, Trump said the incident would not deter him from continuing his agenda.
