On April 25, 2026, President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and other top U.S. officials were evacuated from the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., following reports of shots fired near the event venue, according to the South China Morning Post and other news outlets.
The evacuation occurred around 10:30 p.m. EDT, as attendees were rushed to secure locations within the hotel. The Secret Service confirmed the incident, stating that a preliminary investigation found no evidence of an active shooter but that a loud noise, possibly a firecracker or a vehicle backfire, prompted the security response.
No injuries were reported, and the event resumed after a brief pause. The White House Correspondents' Association later issued a statement thanking law enforcement for their swift action. The incident remains under investigation.
