A dramatic new photograph has emerged showing US President Donald Trump and his Cabinet reviewing CCTV footage of the White House shooting from the Oval Office. The image, captured by official White House photographer Daniel Torok, depicts Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio gathered around a phone at 10:15 pm on April 25, 2026, replaying security footage of the attack.
Shooting at White House Correspondents' Dinner
The incident occurred during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Washington Hilton hotel on Saturday evening. At approximately 8:35 pm local time, 31-year-old suspect Cole Allen stormed the event, rushing past security while armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives. Authorities believe he fired one or two shots before being detained as he headed towards the ballroom where Trump was preparing to speak.
One officer was shot, but the bullet was stopped by a bulletproof vest. The suspect was tackled to the ground and taken into custody. Trump later praised law enforcement for acting "quickly and bravely" and stated he "wasn't worried" during the shooting.
President's Call for Peace
In the wake of the attack, Trump urged Americans to "recommit with their hearts in resolving our differences peacefully." The photograph's caption on Instagram echoed this sentiment, quoting Trump's call for unity. The image shows the President and Cabinet members intently watching the CCTV replay, highlighting the gravity of the security breach at the high-profile event.
Security Footage and Public Response
Video footage shared by Trump on Truth Social shows the suspect running through a metal scanner outside the ballroom, bypassing security staff. During the chaos, guests dived under tables as Secret Service agents rushed to protect the President, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President Vance, who was grabbed by the jacket and dragged to safety. Trump himself appeared to trip and fall as he was evacuated from the stage.
The White House Correspondents' Association dinner, an annual gathering of journalists and political figures, was disrupted by the attack, prompting a swift response from security forces. The suspect now faces multiple charges, and investigations are ongoing.
