President Donald Trump was evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner following a security scare, according to reports from the Associated Press. The incident prompted a swift response from the Secret Service and other security personnel, leading to a chaotic scene as hundreds of guests took cover beneath tables.
Attendees described the atmosphere as tense, with loud noises resembling gunfire alarming guests and triggering panic. Voices could be heard urging people to duck for safety. Thankfully, there have been no immediate reports of injuries following the event.
In addition to Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other Cabinet members present were also escorted out of the banquet hall amid the turmoil. A source later reassured CNN that both Trump and his Cabinet were safe.
This marked Trump’s first attendance at the high-profile dinner as president, having previously missed it during his first term and the preceding year. The dinner, held on the last Saturday of April, is an annual gathering of politicians and journalists that celebrates the First Amendment and the vital role of the media in a democratic society.
Despite the alarming incident, the event underscores the tradition of political satire and the importance of a free press within the American political landscape.