A shooting disrupted the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton, forcing Donald Trump, Melania Trump, and others to be rushed out. Authorities confirmed everyone under protection was unharmed.
The suspect, Cole Thomas Allen, was reportedly armed with multiple weapons and exchanged fire with law enforcement before being arrested. Officials believe he intended to target government figures, based on a manifesto.
Trump later called him a “lone wolf” and praised the Secret Service’s quick response. Investigators said the suspect had traveled across the U.S. before arriving in Washington.
What unsettled many was the location: the same hotel where Ronald Reagan was shot in the Attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan. The eerie connection quickly drew attention online.