‘Not The First Time’: Trump Reacts To Shooting Scare At White House Dinner

Last Updated:April 26, 2026, 08:28 IST

Trump questioned the adequacy of security arrangements at the venue, suggesting that such high-profile events should be held in more fortified locations like the White House.

President Donald Trump on Saturday said the reported shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was “not the first time our Republicans have been attacked," as he reacted to the disruption that triggered panic at the high-profile event in Washington, D.C.

While addressing a press conference after the incident from the White House, the US President said the incident was “very unexpected" but praised the response of the Secret Service and law enforcement, stating that a man had charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons and was “taken down" by officers.

He added that authorities acted “very quickly" and that footage of the incident would be released “for purposes of transparency and clarity," describing the suspect as a “thug who attacked our Constitution."

‘One Officer Shot But Saved’

The US President further informed that one officer “was shot but saved by the fact that he was wearing a very good bulletproof vest." He said that the officer was shot from a very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job.

“He’s doing great. He’s in great shape; he has very high spirits, and we told him we love him and respect him," he added.

Trump questioned the adequacy of security arrangements at the venue, suggesting that such high-profile events should be held in more fortified locations like the White House. He said that security agencies have long pushed for more secure, controlled environments to handle evolving threats.

“We looked at all of the conditions that took place tonight, and I say it’s not a particularly secure building… This is why we have to have all of the attributes of what we’re planning at the White House. It’s actually a larger room, and it’s much more secure. It’s got drone-proof and bulletproof glass. We need the war room. That’s why the Secret Service, that’s why the military is demanding it. They’ve wanted the war room for 150 years for lots of different reasons, but today’s a little bit different because today we need levels of security that probably nobody’s ever seen before," he said.

The United States Secret Service said it is investigating a shooting near the screening area outside the dinner venue, adding that one individual is in custody. The incident led to the evacuation of the banquet hall, with guests escorted out and security tightened in and around the venue.

Attack During Trump’s 2024 Rally

Notably, US President Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt on July 13, 2024 while addressing a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when multiple shots were fired.

The then-Republican presidential candidate was grazed in the ear, while one bystander was killed and two others were injured before the gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was fatally shot by a government sniper.

News world ‘Not The First Time’: Trump Reacts To Shooting Scare At White House Dinner

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