Shots fired at White House correspondents’ dinner in Washington D.C.

A gunman opened fire during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington D.C. early Sunday morning, forcing an evacuation that included US President Donald Trump, his wife, and senior staff, Dagbladet reports.

No injuries were reported, but the incident—confirmed by US Attorney General Todd Blanche as a likely assassination attempt targeting Trump—marks the third such attack on the president during his political career. The suspected shooter, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives before being subdued by Secret Service agents.

Eirik Løkke, a US political analyst, called the breach “always alarming,” citing a “dangerous mix” of easily accessible firearms and a lowered threshold for political violence in America. “Trump is a deeply polarizing figure who provokes strong emotions—anger in particular,” Løkke told Dagbladet, adding that while the shooter’s motives remain unclear, the act could stem from “a desire for attention or genuine hostility.”

Security flaws at the event, held at the Washington Hilton hotel, have drawn criticism. Løkke noted that the venue—chosen by the White House Correspondents’ Association, not the Secret Service—may not have been suitable for high-profile protection. “You can never guarantee 100% security against such incidents,” he said, though he acknowledged improved Secret Service response compared to a 2024 campaign rally shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Footage showed Trump surrounded by heavily armed agents seconds after shots rang out, while attendees—including conservative activist Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk—fled in distress. Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake later condemned the “shockingly lax” security measures.

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, an annual gathering of political and media elites, has historically been a high-security event. Allen allegedly bypassed an initial checkpoint before firing at agents.

US authorities have not yet disclosed further details on the investigation.