US President Donald Trump has ruled out any link between the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting and tensions with Iran, saying the attacker acted alone.
The suspect has been arrested, with investigations still underway.
Speaking after the shooting incident, President Donald Trump said he does not believe the attack was connected to the Iran war.
“I don’t think the shooting was related to the Iran war,” he told reporters, adding that authorities believe the gunman was a lone attacker.
Law enforcement agencies, he said, are treating the suspect as a “lone wolf” with no immediate broader threat.
‘Lone wolf’ attacker with multiple weapons
Trump confirmed the suspect has been taken into custody and described him as a “very sick person.”
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance were rushed off the stage after shots were fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.#news pic.twitter.com/YQuG8gzTMf
— MS NOW (@MSNOWNews) April 26, 2026
According to officials, the attacker was heavily armed, carrying a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives. He was also wearing a bulletproof vest and resisted arrest before being subdued.
The US president said the suspect is believed to be a resident of California, with federal agents now investigating his background.
Officer shot but safe
One Secret Service officer was shot during the incident but survived due to a bulletproof vest.
Trump said he personally spoke to the injured officer, describing him as being in “great shape” and “high spirits.”
“He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job,” Trump said.
Panic and swift evacuation
The shooting caused panic at the high-profile event, forcing security teams to act within seconds.
Trump recalled hearing a loud noise before the situation became clear, saying Melania Trump immediately sensed danger.
Secret Service agents quickly evacuated the president and other officials in line with protocol.
Event to be rescheduled
Despite the incident, Trump said the administration will not allow such attacks to disrupt public events.
“We’re not going to cancel things out,” he said, announcing plans to reschedule the dinner within 30 days — possibly on a larger scale.
He added that although there was an initial desire to continue the event, security protocols required immediate evacuation.
When asked whether he was the intended target, Trump responded, “I guess,” without confirming definitively.
He also linked the attack to broader political tensions, saying such incidents sometimes occur when leaders take major decisions that not everyone supports.
Call for national unity
In a key message following the attack, Trump urged Americans to resolve their differences peacefully.
“I ask that all Americans recommit with their hearts to resolving our differences peacefully,” he said. “We have to resolve our differences.”
The US president praised the swift response by security and law enforcement agencies, calling their actions “fantastic” and “brave.”
He confirmed the shooter is now “totally subdued and under control,” preventing what could have been a far more serious incident.
Trump said all top officials present at the event, including the first lady and the vice president, were safe.
“The First Lady, the Vice President, and all Cabinet members are in perfect condition,” he said.
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