White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting: Global leaders, along with allies and political foes of US President Donald Trump, responded to the shooting incident at White House Correspondents’ Dinner,
prompting the President, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and others to be evacuated on Saturday.
Shots were reported as guests ducked for cover, though officials said Trump was uninjured and no casualties were immediately confirmed.
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Secret Service personnel and other authorities rushed into the banquet hall as hundreds of guests took cover under tables. Shouts of “Out of the way, sir!” and calls to duck were heard. The banquet hall, where hundreds of journalists, celebrities and national leaders were waiting for Trump’s speech, was evacuated immediately.
Meanwhile, a suspect has been taken into custody.
How Global Leaders Reacted?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed relief that the US President, First Lady, and Vice President are safe after the security incident. He also condemned the incident, saying that violence has no place in a democracy.
“Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel. I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned,” he said in a post on X.
Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel. I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2026
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also expressed relief that Trump and the First Lady are keeping safe.
“It’s great that President Trump and his wife are doing well after the recent events. We send our respect. Violence should never be the way,” she said in a post on X.
Qué bueno que el presidente Trump y su esposa se encuentren bien, tras los recientes acontecimientos. Le enviamos nuestro respeto. La violencia no debe ser nunca el camino.
— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) April 26, 2026
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has seen tensions widen between his country and the US, said he was relieved that Trump and all in attendance at the dinner were safe.
“Political violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event,” he said on X.
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…
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 26, 2026
Venezuela acting President Delcy Rodríguez, also condemned the shooting incident and said, “We strongly condemn the attempted attack against President @realDonaldTrump and his wife, Melania Trump. We extend our best wishes to them and to all attendees of the Correspondent’s Dinner. Violence is never an option for those who uphold the values of peace.
We strongly condemn the attempted attack against President @realDonaldTrump and his wife, Melania Trump. We extend our best wishes to them and to all attendees of the Correspondent’s Dinner. Violence is never an option for those who uphold the values of peace.
— Delcy Rodríguez (@delcyrodriguezv) April 26, 2026
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te expressed shocked over the shooting incident and condemned the political violence.
“Shocked and gravely concerned to hear about the gunshots fired at the White House Correspondents’ Gala. We are relieved to hear that President Trump and other attendees remain safe from physical harm and we strongly condemn any form of political violence,” he said in a post on X.
Shocked and gravely concerned to hear about the gunshots fired at the White House Correspondents’ Gala. We are relieved to hear that President Trump and other attendees remain safe from physical harm and we strongly condemn any form of political violence.
— 賴清德Lai Ching-te (@ChingteLai) April 26, 2026
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also condemned the violence against the US President and said, “I am relieved to learn that President Trump is safe after the terrifying gunshots. Violence can never be tolerated anywhere in the world. I am relieved to hear that President Trump is safe following the terrifying gunfire. Violence must never be tolerated anywhere in the world.”
I am relieved to learn that President Trump is safe after the terrifying gunshots.
Violence can never be tolerated anywhere in the world.トランプ大統領が、恐ろしい銃撃の後、ご無事だとの報に接し、安心しました。
暴力は、世界のいかなる場所でも、決して容認できません。@POTUS…— 高市早苗 (@takaichi_sanae) April 26, 2026
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, “political violence is absolutely unacceptable.” Senator Mark Kelly wrote on X that he was “thankful that the President and others at the correspondents’ dinner are safe, and for the quick response from law enforcement.”
“Relieved everyone at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is safe tonight based on initial reports,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “A free press is foundational to our country. Violence is never acceptable.”
