Trump confirms he is safe and released the face of the 31-year-old suspect following the attack in the Washington Hilton ballroom. A new presidential rally will be held within 30 days.
April 26, 2026, 10:30 AM (Thailand time) | CNBC reports on the latest developments. An armed man stormed a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner last Saturday night before being apprehended by Secret Service agents.
โดย President Trump made this comment just hours after he was evacuated from his job. that In this incident, one officer was shot but survived because he was wearing a high-quality bulletproof vest. Trump said he had spoken with the officer and that his condition was stable.
Authorities later identified the gunman as Cole Allen, 31, from California. The moment the incident occurred, the sound of gunfire caused attendees to scramble for cover under tables, while Trump was immediately escorted off the stage at the Washington Hilton Hotel by security personnel.
Trump said he actually wanted to stay at the event because it was his first time speaking as president, but security officials insisted he and his cabinet leave the area quickly for their safety.
Following the arrest, Trump posted photos of the suspect and CCTV footage on his social media account (Truth Social), confirming that Melania Trump and the other cabinet ministers were safe and that the rescheduled party would be postponed for 30 days.
Trump praised the swift action of the staff and said that the event, intended to promote freedom of speech and assembly, had instead become a truly unifying moment in the room, which he viewed as a beautiful image in another sense.
Sources at the event stated that: The gunman, armed with a shotgun, walked towards the metal detector before being shot by officers and handcuffed before being taken away.
This incident occurred at approximately 8:35 PM (US time) while guests were beginning their first course of food. At least five gunshots were heard from the back of the ballroom. Trump, who was seated on the front stage, was immediately surrounded by security personnel, and video footage showed heavily armed commando officers securing the situation on stage.
Several high-ranking officials attended the event, including Vice President JD Vance and FBI Director Kash Patel. When reporters asked Trump if he thought he was the target, Trump responded, "Probably." The motive for the attack remains under investigation.
Trump has previously survived two assassination attempts: one during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in mid-2024 and another at a golf course in Florida a few months later.
refer : www.cnbc.com
Trump reveals that the most influential people are often the targets.
Bloomberg News further reported that this shooting is the latest example of political violence threatening the country, including the storming of the Capitol building on January 6, 2021, and the burning of the Pennsylvania governor's mansion.
Trump has been the target of assassination attempts before, including an incident at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in 2024 where he was grazed by a bullet on his ear.
In a press conference at the White House following the incident, Trump stated that he had studied assassinations and that the most powerful individuals are often the targets.
"I don't want to say I feel honored by that, but I have accomplished a lot," he added.
Trump stated that the suspect moved very quickly when apprehended by law enforcement. The president had previously posted security camera footage on social media showing the suspect running at high speed before officers quickly drew their weapons. Washington police stated that the suspect was carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives.
Trump said the attackers' motives were unclear, but he believed they were "lone wolves."
“This is not the first time in the last couple of years that our Republic has been attacked by those who wish to assassinate us,” Trump said, adding, “Following the events of this evening, I ask all Americans to join together in a heartfelt commitment to resolve our differences peacefully.”
Trump, still wearing his tuxedo from the gala, stood at the White House flanked by several cabinet members, many of whom were at the gala celebrating press freedom and one of Washington's most prominent annual galas. He said he wanted a new party to be held within 30 days.
Food service at the banquet had just begun when attendees at the Washington Hilton hotel reported hearing what sounded like gunshots. The president said the gunman had run through security checkpoints but had not yet breached the ballroom where the event was being held.
"I was watching what was happening. Melania was very alert. It was a bad noise, and we were immediately pulled out," Trump told reporters at the White House.
"And I repeat, the Secret Service operates very quickly. There's plenty of time to think, but it's a matter of seconds before we're out the door."
Trump also used this situation as justification for his planned construction of a ballroom, which would be used within the security cordon of the White House.
One witness stated that they heard security guards yelling at an individual in the hallway outside to stop before chaos erupted and several gunshots rang out.
Rudy Zahey, managing partner of Aquarian Holdings, said he had just walked out of the room and was heading up the stairs when the incident started. “We walked up a few steps and we heard ‘Stop! Stop! Stop!’ followed by a bang and then a lot of banging,” he said.
John Lambert, a party attendee and president of Boat Evolution Inc., said he was walking to the restroom when he saw a man run past security and head towards the stairs leading down to the ballroom. Several security officers immediately chased after him, and multiple shots—possibly as many as 20—were fired at the man running towards the stairs. Lambert said he was immediately herded into the men's restroom.
Trump's appearance at this party was unusual for him. While US presidents historically attend this event, Trump has avoided most of them since taking office after winning the 2016 election. He is the first president to avoid this party since Jimmy Carter, who did not attend in 1978 and 1980.
This party was a fundraising event, with a portion of the proceeds going towards scholarships for journalism students. However, it also attracted celebrities who mingled with politicians and media personalities. As it grew in size and popularity, the event was criticized for reflecting the “too close” relationships between journalists and the people they reported on.
The Secret Service has faced several assassination attempts on the president since the 2024 shooting. Ryan Routh was sentenced to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of attempting to assassinate the president at a Florida golf course in September 2024. More recently, an armed man who broke into a restricted area at Trump's Mar-a-Lago mansion in February was shot and killed after a confrontation with Secret Service agents and local law enforcement.
In addition, the Washington Hilton Hotel was also the site of an attempted assassination in 1977. 1981 When then-President Ronald Reagan was shot and critically wounded by gunman John Hinckley Jr. as he was leaving the hotel.
Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-26/alleged-shooter-at-white-house-press-event-in-custody?srnd=homepage-asia
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