President Trump calls for secure White House ballroom after shooting at correspondents’ dinner
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Apr 26
President Trump calls for secure White House ballroom after shooting at correspondents’ dinner
11 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Apr 26
At 10:31 p.m. Saturday, Trump addressed the nation from the White House after gunfire erupted at the Washington Hilton during the dinner, posting surveillance footage of a suspect.
Joined by the first lady, vice president, and top officials in evening wear, Trump described the shock of the incident and emphasized the need for a maximum-security, bulletproof, drone-proof ballroom at the White House.
The shooting, possibly an assassination attempt, disrupted the annual event and prompted renewed debate over presidential security and the administration’s controversial plans for new protective infrastructure.
How did an armed man get so close to a presidential event at the historic Hilton?
Is a new White House ballroom the real answer to presidential event security?
What responsibility does a hotel have when hosting the world's most protected leaders?
Will this incident change how high-profile events are secured in public venues?
What drove a California man to attack the White House Correspondents' Dinner?
Did security succeed by stopping the shooter, or fail by letting him get that far?
From Reagan to Trump: A Comparative Analysis of Presidential Assassination Attempts at the Washington Hilton
Overview
On April 25, 2026, Cole Tomas Allen attacked the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton by charging an outer security checkpoint and exchanging gunfire with law enforcement. The swift Secret Service response protected President Trump, Vice President Vance, and other officials, who were safely evacuated. One officer was injured but is expected to recover. The attack exposed serious vulnerabilities in perimeter security, prompting calls for enhanced screening and new secure venues. Allen, acting alone, faces federal charges while investigations continue. The incident drew bipartisan condemnation but also reignited partisan debates over gun control and mental health funding. It echoed the 1981 Reagan assassination attempt at the same location, highlighting ongoing security challenges.