Donald Trump hastily escorted to secure location after gunfire interrupts Washington media event

A dramatic scene unfolded at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, as then Republican candidate Donald Trump was struck in the right ear in an apparent assassination attempt, with the incident captured in a photo by Rebecca DROKE / AFP showing Trump with blood on his face surrounded by secret service agents as he was taken off the stage at Butler Farm Show Inc.

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Fast forward to a recent event, shots rang out as US President Donald Trump attended a media gala in Washington on a Saturday night, prompting the gunman to be detained at a screening area just outside the hotel ballroom where hundreds of guests had gathered.

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The president was quickly rushed off the stage, and security teams swarmed past groups of invitees at the black-tie White House Correspondents’ Dinner, as chaos erupted and people dived under tables for cover.

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Trump later took to social media to praise the swift action of the Secret Service and Law Enforcement, saying they "did a fantastic job" and "acted quickly and bravely," while also announcing that the shooter had been apprehended.

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The president revealed that he would shortly hold a press conference at the White House, and noted that "Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises," adding that "The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition."

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Despite the security scare, Trump expressed his intention to re-schedule the event within a month, demonstrating his commitment to moving forward with the planned activities.

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The Secret Service confirmed that one suspect was in custody, and provided additional details that the shooting incident took place near the main security screening area, sparking a swift response from tactical teams who took position on the stage with guns drawn.

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The Washington Hilton Hotel, where the event was being held, was quickly swarmed by police, and helicopters hovered overhead, adding to the sense of urgency and chaos in the area.

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The incident erupted after the welcoming speech and during dinner, before Trump was due to speak, with the glitzy annual gala coming to an abrupt halt as uncertainty remained as to what exactly happened.

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Trump administration officials appeared to have been evacuated first, with a cabinet official, Mehmet Oz, reporting "shots fired upstairs" as he was rushed out by security, highlighting the rapid response to the unfolding situation.

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This was not the first time Trump had been the target of an assassination attempt, having previously been lightly wounded in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in 2024, when a gunman fired several shots, killing a rally goer.

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A few months later, another man was arrested after a Secret Service agent spotted the barrel of a rifle poking from the bushes on the perimeter of the West Palm Beach golf course where Trump was playing a round, demonstrating the ongoing security concerns surrounding the president.

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The Washington Hilton, where Saturday’s gala was taking place, held a significant and somber historical connection, having been the site where Republican President Ronald Reagan was shot by a would-be assassin in 1981.

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Organizers initially told guests that the White House Correspondents’ Dinner would continue despite the incident, before announcing that it had been postponed, marking a significant disruption to the planned event.

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Trump was attending the event for the first time while in office, having previously declined to attend, and the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) had invited him this year despite his repeated attacks on the media.

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Unlike all other presidents from the past 100 years, Trump had never attended the White House Correspondents’ Dinner while in office, making his presence at this year's event notable, with the "Nerd Prom" as attendees dub it, bringing together hundreds of Washington journalists and media executives to raise funds for scholarships and awards.

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The event often features a comedian joking about the president, who traditionally gets his own back with some jokes, though no comedian was booked this year, marking a departure from the usual format.