Full Breakdown
UFC President Dana White Calls White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting “F***ing Awesome”
4/28/2026, 2:23:02 AM
Shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner
On Saturday, April 25, 2024, gunfire erupted near the main magnetometer in the Washington Hilton ballroom during the White House Correspondents' Dinner (WHCD). President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, First Lady Melania Trump, UFC President Dana White, and other officials were evacuated. The event was halted and later cancelled. Earlier that evening, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that President Trump’s speech would include “shots fired,” a remark that preceded the actual gunfire.
Key Figures & Groups
The incident involved President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, UFC President Dana White, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Secret Service agents, the shooter, and White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang.
Timeline
- April 25, 2024 – WHCD begins at the Washington Hilton.
- Minutes before President Trump’s remarks, Karoline Leavitt announces his speech will contain “shots fired.”
- Gunfire erupts near the venue’s main magnetometer.
- Attendees, including Trump, Vance, Melania Trump, and White, are evacuated.
- Secret Service apprehends the shooter; one agent is injured but protected by body armor; the dinner is cancelled.
Data & Statistics
The shooting occurred on April 25, 2024, at the Washington Hilton ballroom in Washington, D.C. Sources list the suspect as either a 30-year-old or a 31-year-old male. He faces two counts of using a firearm and one count of assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. One Secret Service agent was injured but survived due to protective gear. High-profile evacuees included the president, vice president, first lady, and UFC president.
Official Statements & Responses
President Trump said he was “honored” to be a target and expressed shock at the attack. Karoline Leavitt’s earlier comment about “shots fired” was cited in coverage of the incident. White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang announced the dinner’s cancellation and a plan to reschedule within 30 days. The Secret Service confirmed the suspect’s arrest and that an agent received treatment for injuries while wearing body armor.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources disagree on the shooter’s age, reporting either a 30-year-old or a 31-year-old man. No motive has been released, and Dana White has not issued a formal statement beyond his quoted reaction.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They were screaming ‘Get down!’ but I didn’t get down. It was f***ing awesome. I literally took every minute of it in. It was a pretty crazy unique experience.” — Dana White, UFC President and CEO
- “When you look at our great presidents, [this] doesn’t happen to people who don’t do anything,” — Donald Trump, President of the United States
- “I will tell you, this speech tonight will be classic Donald J. Trump.” — Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary
- “[The speech] will be funny. It will be entertaining. There will be some shots fired tonight in the room.” — Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary
What’s Next
The White House Correspondents’ Association intends to hold a rescheduled dinner within 30 days. Federal investigators continue to probe the motive and security protocols. The shooter remains in custody pending trial.
