Saturday evening's White House Correspondents' Dinner was bound to make headlines, if for no other reason than that President Donald Trump was attending the event for the first time in his presidency (either one). News would be made.
What wasn't anticipated was the dark turn that news took as a would-be assassin attempted to shoot his way into the event. The blessing in all of that is that all in attendance, including the President and First Lady, the Cabinet, members of Congress, and members of the media, escaped unharmed, with the exception of a Secret Service agent who reportedly took a slug to the vest and is expected to be just fine. And the shooter was swiftly taken down and is facing multiple criminal charges.
READ MORE: US Secret Service Releases Statement After 'Shooting Incident' at WHCD; Agent Injured
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Following the incident, world leaders were swift to react, releasing statements expressing their shock over the shooting, their relief that President Trump and those in attendance were unharmed, and affirming their condemnation of political violence.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack on democratic institutions and freedom of the press.
I am shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington overnight.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 26, 2026
Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
It is a huge relief that @POTUS, the First Lady and all those…
I am shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington overnight.
Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
It is a huge relief that @POTUS, the First Lady and all those attending are safe.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed relief that all are safe and sound and solidarity with the U.S.
I am shocked by the attack on the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Relieved that President Trump, the First Lady and all the guests are safe and sound
— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) April 26, 2026
This was an attack on our free and open societies. We stand for democracy and in solidarity with the United States
I am shocked by the attack on the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Relieved that President Trump, the First Lady and all the guests are safe and sound
This was an attack on our free and open societies. We stand for democracy and in solidarity with the United States
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent well wishes to the wounded officer and saluted the Secret Service's "swift and decisive action."
Sara and I were shocked by the attempted assassination of President @realDonaldTrump last night in Washington, DC. We are relieved that the President and the First Lady are safe and strong. We send our wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the wounded police officer and salute…
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) April 26, 2026
Sara and I were shocked by the attempted assassination of President @realDonaldTrump last night in Washington, DC. We are relieved that the President and the First Lady are safe and strong. We send our wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the wounded police officer and salute the US Secret Service for their swift and decisive action.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also expressed solidarity with the President, First Lady, Vice President, and all those in attendance.
Desidero esprimere la mia piena solidarietà e più sincera vicinanza al Presidente Trump, alla First Lady Melania, al Vice Presidente Vance e a tutti i presenti per quanto accaduto alla cena dei Corrispondenti della Casa Bianca di ieri sera.
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) April 26, 2026
Nessun odio politico può trovare…
I wish to express my full solidarity and most sincere closeness to President Trump, to First Lady Melania, to Vice President Vance, and to all those present for what happened at last night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
No political hatred can find space in our democracies. We will not allow fanaticism to poison the places of free debate and information. The defense of the culture of confrontation must remain the insurmountable bulwark against every intolerant drift, to safeguard the values that found our Nations.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his relief that the President, First Lady, and all guests are safe.
I am relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe following reports of gunfire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington tonight.
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 26, 2026
Political violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by…
I am relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe following reports of gunfire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington tonight.
Political violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event.
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement affirming its solidarity with President Trump and his family and rejecting "all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability."
UAE Strongly Condemns Shooting Targeting US President Donald Trump
— Afra Al Hameli (@AfraMalHameli) April 26, 2026
The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the shooting which targeted US President Donald Trump, and strongly denounced this deplorable crime.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA)…
UAE Strongly Condemns Shooting Targeting US President Donald Trump
The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the shooting which targeted US President Donald Trump, and strongly denounced this deplorable crime.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirmed the UAE’s solidarity with US President Donald Trump and his family, as well as with the government and the people of the United States. The Ministry reiterated the UAE’s strong condemnation of such criminal acts and its unwavering rejection of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability.
RedState will continue its coverage of the incident and its aftermath, so be sure to check back for updates.
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