President Trump, flanked by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Vice President JD Vance, Acting United States Attorney General Todd Blanche, and FBI director Kash Patel, spoke at the White House Saturday evening following the shooting and chaos at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which had to be cancelled for the night. It will be rescheduled, he promised.
First Lady Melania Trump and WH Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt were also in attendance at the presser.
Trump praised law enforcement — and even complimented the media for their actions during the situation and their restraint in coverage in the aftermath.
An officer was shot during the attack, POTUS confirmed, but is expected to survive thanks to his bulletproof vest:
.@POTUS: "A man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of Secret Service... One officer was shot, but saved... the vest did the job. I just spoke to the officer, and he's doing great." pic.twitter.com/ypKrVT8YPU
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 26, 2026
He was determined for the show to go on, but finally realized it was just not practical:
🚨 DONALD TRUMP JUST WENT FULL DEFIANT MODE
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 26, 2026
After the shooting at WHCA dinner: “I fought like HELL to stay!” 🤣
"We're going to reschedule, we're going to do it again. We're NOT going to let anybody take over our society!" 🔥
"We're not going to cancel things out because we… pic.twitter.com/d3froYfeRb
"We're not going to cancel things out because we can't do that. We wanted to stay tonight."
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The Show Will Not Go On: WH Correspondents' Dinner to Be Rescheduled After Chaotic Night at the Gala
He asked the people of America to reject violence and keep our disagreements peaceful.
🚨 NOW: President Trump DEMANDS a NATIONAL RECKONING towards peace, NOT violence, after tonight’s attempted assassination
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 26, 2026
"It's not the first time in the past couple of years that our republic has been attacked by a would-be assassin who sought to kill."
"In Butler,… pic.twitter.com/RtIC2S1YJO
"In Butler, Pennsylvania, less than two years ago. You all know that story. And in Palm Beach, Florida, a few months after that, we came close."
"In light of this evening's events, I ask that all Americans recommit with their hearts in resolving our difference peacefully."
"I will say you had Republicans, Democrats, independents, conservatives, liberals, and progressives."
"Everybody in that room, big crowd, record-setting crowd."
"There was a record-setting group of people. And there was a tremendous amount of love and coming together. I watched."
The president also confirmed what RedState's Bonchie reported: namely, that the attacker had been apprehended and identified, and authorities are right now combing through his past:
"The man has been captured. They're going to his apartment,” he said. “I guess he lives in California — and he's a sick person...
BREAKING: Video Released of Cole Tomas Allen charging through the checkpoint and secret service responding at the White House Correspondents Dinner pic.twitter.com/7oioz2xGyy
— The Facts Dude 🤙🏽 (@Thefactsdude) April 26, 2026
Trump was asked if he feared for his life, considering this is the third assassination attempt in his second term, and Democrats keep preaching for ever more “resistance.” He had an answer:
🚨 NOW: President Trump just gave the PERFECT ANSWER
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 26, 2026
“Why does it [assassination attempts] keep happening to you?”
TRUMP: The ones that do the most — they go after. They go after impactful people.
“I hate to say I’m honored by that.”
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/AY4bLPGK96
The briefing wrapped up minutes ago, and we will keep you posted as new developments arise.
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