An attempted shooting interrupted US President Donald Trump’s ballroom address at the White House correspondents’ dinner, triggering immediate evacuations, panic and a massive security response at a Washington D.C. hotel on Saturday night. The incident unfolded shortly before Trump was to speak at the Washington Hilton, as guests reported hearing multiple gunshots near a security checkpoint outside the main ballroom.Secret Service agents quickly moved in to shield Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and other senior officials before taking them to a safe location. Armed officers arrived at the venue and secured the perimeter, ordering hundreds of guests, including journalists, lawmakers and public figures, to hide under tables. Authorities later said they had captured one suspect, and one officer was injured but protected by a bulletproof vest.
The dramatic episode adds to the timeline of threats Trump has faced, ranging from rally shootings and armed suspects to poison letters, foreign-linked assassination plots and repeated security lapses, making him one of the most frequently targeted political figures in modern American history.
Here’s a detailed look at key events involving Donald Trump:
- April 2026, White House Correspondents’ Dinner Fear of Shooting: On April 25, 2026, gunshots were heard as Trump attended the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington. Secret Service officials expelled Trump,
melania trump J.D. Vance and several cabinet members of Washington Hilton. Authorities later said the suspect was taken into custody. Trump praised security officials for their swift response and said one officer was shot but was saved because of a bulletproof vest. Information based on official statements and media reports after the incident. - February 2026, armed intruder shot at Mar-a-Lago: On February 22, 2026, Secret Service officers shot and killed Austin Tucker Martin, a 21-year-old North Carolina man after he allegedly entered the grounds of Mar-a-Lago carrying a firearm and a gas canister. Trump was in Washington at that time. The incident raised new concerns about security at Trump properties. Reported by law enforcement and US media.
- March 2026, Mar-a-Lago no-fly zone violation: On March 29, 2026, a civilian aircraft entered the restricted airspace over Mar-a-Lago and was intercepted by NORAD fighter aircraft. Officials said the no-fly zone was violated while Trump was attached to the property’s security perimeter. Based on aviation and defense reports.
- October 2025, Air Force One security concern: On October 16, 2025, Secret Service agents discovered a suspicious elevated hunting stand with a direct line of sight to the parking area of Air Force One near Palm Beach International Airport. This structure was found during the security check before Trump’s arrival. No suspects were found, but the FBI began an investigation. Based on media and federal reports.
- August 2025, gunshot slipped during a screening at a Trump golf club: On August 31, 2025, a member of the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia accidentally brought a loaded Glock handgun into the club while Trump was present. The weapon reportedly passed manual inspection and magnetometer screening before the individual reported it himself. The Secret Service launched an internal review. Based on safety reports.
- August 2025, woman accused of threatening to kill: In August 2025, a 50-year-old woman from Indiana was arrested in Washington, DC, after posting violent threats against Trump online and telling investigators that she had a bladed object in her possession. Authorities said he circled the White House complex during a protest before his arrest. Based on charging documents and media coverage.
- May 2025, False murder letter case: In May 2025, a handwritten threatening letter claiming that a Mexican immigrant planned to shoot Trump at a rally led to an arrest. Investigators later concluded that the accused person could not have written the note. Prosecutors later charged another man, Demetric Scott, with writing the letter to exculpate a witness. Based on court filings.
- October 2024, Armed suspect arrested near Coachella rally: A man is detained near a checkpoint outside a Trump rally in Coachella, California on October 12, 2024. Police said he had two firearms, ammunition, several passports in different names and a vehicle with fake plates. On the basis of police statements.
- September 2024, West Palm Beach Golf Club assassination attempt: On 15 September 2024,
Ryan Wesley Roth Trump was reportedly seen hiding a rifle in bushes near the Trump International Golf Club while he was playing golf. A Secret Service agent opened fire on him. He fled but was later arrested. Authorities later said he intended to kill Trump. He was later convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Based on FBI and court records. - July 2024, Butler, Pennsylvania rally shooting: One of the most serious attempts on Trump’s life occurred during a rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.
Thomas Crooks Multiple shots were fired from an AR-15-style rifle. Trump is injured in the upper part of his right ear. One attendee, Corey Comparator, was killed and two others were seriously injured. The Secret Service sniper killed the miscreants. The attack led to several investigations and the resignation of the Secret Service director.Kimberly Cheatle . Based on the findings of the FBI and the Senate. - 2024, murder-for-hire conspiracy linked to Iran: US officials allege multiple plots involving Iran to kill Trump in 2024. Pakistani national Asif Merchant was accused of recruiting people to assassinate Trump on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In another case, Farhad Shakeri and others were accused in a separate conspiracy. Iran denied involvement. Based on US Justice Department announcements and court proceedings.
- September 2020, Risin’s letter mailed to Trump: Canadian citizen Pascal Ferrier was arrested after sending a ricin-laced letter addressed to Trump during the 2020 presidential campaign. He was later sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison. Based on federal court records.
- Archived from the August 2020 White House briefing: On August 10, 2020, Trump was abruptly escorted from a White House press briefing after Secret Service officers shot an armed suspect outside the White House perimeter. Trump later returned to continue the briefing. Based on White House Pool Report.
- October 2018, poison mail scare: An envelope containing castor beans, initially suspected to contain ricin, was intercepted before reaching Trump in 2018. Additional suspicious mail was also sent to the Pentagon. A man from Utah was later arrested. Based on federal case records.
- September 2017, attempted forklift attack: In Mandan, North Dakota, Gregory Lee Liang stole a forklift and allegedly tried to drive it toward Trump’s presidential motorcade. He later admitted that his intention was to overturn the limousine and kill the President. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Based on court proceedings.
- Gun scare at Reno rally, November 2016: A few days before the 2016 election, Trump was escorted off the stage during a rally in Reno after someone in the crowd shouted “guns”. One man was confronted by security personnel but was later found to be unarmed. Trump returned to the stage a few minutes later. Based on contemporary media reports.
- Gun snatching attempt at Las Vegas rally, June 2016: At a rally in Las Vegas, British citizens
Michael Steven Sandford While Trump was speaking, an attempt was made to snatch the weapon of a police officer. He later told authorities that he wanted to kill Trump. Sandford was convicted, jailed, and deported to the United Kingdom. Based on court records.