A guest packs a bottle of champagne after the shots.Image: screenshot x
April 26, 2026, 3:06 p.mApril 26, 2026, 3:35 p.m
Chaotic scenes from Washington: Shots are fired at a gala dinner for journalists in a luxury hotel. US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania and cabinet members are being brought to safety as quickly as possible. An armed suspect is arrested and a police officer who was shot has to be taken to the hospital.
But in addition to the main event, there are also other details of the evening that keep the internet busy. An overview:
Trump’s stumbles
As the US President is led away from his place on a stage by security officers, he suddenly falls to his knees, as can be seen in footage. “He appears to stumble at one point and then gets right again,” a reporter from the British news channel Sky News said in his report. But what exactly happens is unclear. Many dinner participants ducked under their tables to avoid possible gunfire.
Press conference in a tuxedo
CBS journalist Weijia Jiang, President of the Correspondents’ Association, informs those present about what is happening and initially arouses incredulous laughter: “The President is giving a press conference in the White House in 30 minutes,” she says and has to smile briefly herself when she is confronted with laughter from the audience. She adds with a serious expression: “It’s not a joke.”
President Donald Trump enters the press room at the White House following a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. He’s still wearing his tuxedo.Image: keystone
Later, Trump appears in front of the press in a tuxedo. The correspondents are also still in their evening wear, which at first glance looks more like a wedding party than the White House press corps.
Stolen bottles
Some guests at the abruptly ended dinner seem unwilling to accept that the party is over before it has really begun. In photos circulating online, guests can be seen taking selfies with full bottles of champagne and wine in their hands, which they have apparently acquired. Others stock up on a few bottles before making their way to the exit.
In a photo circulating on social media, journalists can allegedly be seen in an anteroom drinking straight from the wine bottle. The authenticity of the recording could not initially be verified.
Many accounts repost this and similar recordings and provide them with critical comments about the free press. It is unclear who the people shown are.
Stay away from my dinner!
A guest seems to have lost his peace. While others seek shelter under the table and police officers watch the room with their fingers on the triggers of their rifles, he calmly shoves a bite of his plate into his mouth.
The scene, which was filmed by a news channel and went viral online, shows media manager Michael Glantz, according to a CNN reporter. (val/sda/dpa)