WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump told reporters late Saturday that he believes he was the intended target of a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, an incident he described as “traumatic” but one that would not deter his public schedule.
Speaking from the White House following the apprehension of 31-year-old suspect Cole Tomas Allen, the President provided a detailed account of the security breach that left a Secret Service agent injured and forced the evacuation of the Washington Hilton.
President Trump Delivers Remarks, Apr. 25, 2026 https://t.co/Lok5NBuFhD
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 26, 2026
When asked directly during a late-night press conference if he believed the gunman was aiming for him, Trump responded, “I think so.” He described the suspect as “a very sick person” and noted the gravity of the breach, occurring at an event meant to celebrate the First Amendment.
“This was an event dedicated to freedom of speech that was meant to unify,” Trump said. Despite the danger, the President revealed he “strongly insisted” on staying to finish the event, only to be overruled by security. “We tried to convince law enforcement to complete the concert, but they refused. It was a matter of protocol.”
The President confirmed that the suspect charged a security checkpoint armed with “multiple weapons.” During the ensuing struggle, a Secret Service agent was shot at close range.
The Officer’s Condition:Trump reported that the officer’s ballistic vest stopped a round from a “very powerful gun.”
Presidential Update:”I just spoke to the officer, and he’s doing great,” Trump said, describing the agent as being in “great shape” and high spirits.
Much respect for this gentleman who quite literally runs to stand in front of the president and block him with his body. pic.twitter.com/d1jt5oIBXP
— Jasmin Laine (@JasminLaine_) April 26, 2026
The Response:The President praised the “speed of movement” of his security detail, admitting he initially mistook the gunfire for the sound of “breaking dishes” before being rushed to safety.
While the FBI continues to investigate the suspect’s motives, Trump did not rule out international complications, stating, “We don’t know if the incident is related to the war in Iran.”
The President also used the platform to advocate for a change in venue for future high-profile events, suggesting the incident was a “clear indication” that the White House requires its own dedicated, high-security ballroom to avoid the vulnerabilities of public hotels.
Trump confirmed that the First Lady, the Vice President, and the Cabinet were all unharmed, though he noted the experience was particularly “traumatic” for Melania Trump.
In a shift of tone, the President remarked that the speech he had prepared for the night—which he described as a “rip”—would now be shelved.
“I said to my people, ‘this would be the most inappropriate speech ever made’ if I said so… I’ll be very boring the next time, but we’re going to have a great event.”
The dinner is expected to be rescheduled within the next 30 days. To maintain transparency, the President’s team released images of the suspect in custody and security footage of the initial breach on social media.
