A shooter has been confirmed as dead, and the president was not injured.
After shots rang out, Trump was ushered away from the dais inside the ballroom, and attendees took cover under tables.
A number of top administration officials were in attendance, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The program will “resume shortly,” organizers said.
The Hilton, located a short distance away from the White House, is where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
The event will ‘resume shortly’Attendees cheered after an announcement was made that the program will “resume shortly.”
Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 01:59
Trump and Vance were not injured: reportNeither the president nor the vice president were injured, according to The Associated Press.
Secret Service agents quickly responded after shots rang out, leaping onto the dais and escorting the president away from the scene.
Secret Service agents quickly ushered the 79-year-old president, who has been subject to several assassination attempts, away from the scene (Getty)Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 01:56
Shooter is confirmed as dead: reportA shooter has been confirmed as dead, according to CNN.
In addition to Trump, Cabinet officials were swiftly evacuated from the ballroom.
Hundreds of attendees are now standing around in shock.
Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 01:52
Trump is evacuated after gunshots were heardPresident Donald Trump was evacuated from the ballroom after gunshots were heard. Attendees crouched under tables and the room was sealed.
Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 01:42
Photos: Trump takes the stage ahead of his speechPresident Donald Trump is seated at the dais alongside First Lady Melania Trump and Weijia Jiang, a CBS News’ correspondent and president of the White House Correspondent’s Association.
It’s Trump’s first time attending the event as a sitting president (AFP via Getty Images)
A band played the national anthem before Trump and the first lady took their seats (AFP via Getty Images)Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 01:29
President Trump has arrivedPresident Donald Trump has arrived alongside First Lady Melania Trump. Vice President JD Vance is also seated on the dais.
Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 01:22
Tulsi Gabbard and Erika Kirk are seated at the same table
DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard and TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk were seen seated at the same table (The Independent)Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 01:07
Trump has a special entrance at the Washington HiltonIt’s worth noting that the Washington Hilton has a special VIP entrance used by presidents.
The private corridor, approved by the Secret Service, was constructed after Ronald Reagan was shot outside the hotel in 1981.
Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 01:03
In photos: more guests trickle in before the dinner begins
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Kristine Blanche (Getty Images)
NBC News anchor Lester Holt (Getty Images)
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cheryl Hines (Getty Images)
Former Washington Post journalist Taylor Lorenz (Getty Images)Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 00:57
Trump administration is out in full force at the Hilton. Here’s who’s arrivedThe top brass of the Trump administration is out in full force tonight at the Washington Hilton. Here is a list of who has arrived so far:
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Secretary of State Marco Rubio FBI Director Kash Patel White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz Education Secretary Linda McMahon White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeannine Pirro Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche Brendan Rascius26 April 2026 00:50
