Shooting Disrupts White House Correspondents' Dinner as Mentalist Oz Pearlman Performs for President Trump

On Saturday, April 25 2026, the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Washington Hilton was disrupted when 31-year-old Los Angeles teacher Cole Tomas Allen entered the ballroom and opened fire with two firearms on federal agents. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and mentalist Oz Pearlman—booked by the WHCA as its first-time entertainer to avoid a roast—were onstage. Dozens of agents and a SWAT team secured the president, evacuated the “thousands of people” present, and took Allen into custody; no injuries were reported.

Oz Pearlman the mentalist who tried to read Trump’s mind seconds before shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner speaks out

The shooting underscores security challenges at high-profile political events, the blend of entertainment and politics, and ongoing concerns about press freedom given President Trump’s fraught relationship with the media. It may prompt safety-protocol reviews for future WHCDs.

CNN

WHCA President Weijia Jiang said the dinner “recognizes the importance of the First Amendment.” The White House confirmed Allen is in custody and praised the Secret Service for acting “decisively and professionally.” The association announced a rescheduled dinner within the next month and reiterated Pearlman’s invitation.

CNN

Press-freedom groups label President Trump an “enemy of the First Amendment,” arguing the WHCA should not give him a platform. Several journalists urged colleagues to skip the dinner, and Substack creators organized alternative events. Pro-MAGA commentator Eric Bolling mocked Pearlman’s inability to “see this coming.”

CNN

Pearlman said he first heard a “commotion” and thought it might be a medical emergency or bomb. He dropped to the floor as Secret Service agents pushed Trump down, locked eyes with the president, and felt a surge of adrenaline. He later posted on Instagram that he was unharmed.

Variety Magazine

Pearlman initially reported not hearing gunshots, describing the disturbance as a possible bomb or tray, while other accounts note immediate gunfire. The motive behind Allen’s attack has not been disclosed, and details about the firearms remain unreleased.

Variety Magazine

• “My son was mostly concerned with whether he had an autographed Pokémon card from Donald Trump,” — Oz Pearlman, mentalist

Variety Magazine

• “We’re looking eye to eye from a foot apart, and I’m thinking, Oh no, are we about to die?” — Oz Pearlman, mentalist

Variety Magazine

• “If I had been killed, people would forever have said, ‘Why didn’t you see that coming?’” — Oz Pearlman, mentalist

Variety Magazine

• “dedicated to recognizing the importance of the First Amendment.” — Weijia Jiang, WHCA president

CNN

The WHCA will hold a rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner within 30 days, with Pearlman slated to return if available. Law-enforcement agencies have taken Allen into custody and are investigating the incident.

CNN