Trump evacuated from White House correspondents' dinner after loud noises

Loud noises in the ballroom sent guests ducking under tables and triggered an evacuation at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, abruptly interrupting an event meant to mix politics, journalism and celebrity in Washington, D.C. Donald Trump was among those moved out of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner ballroom at the Washington Hilton as confusion spread through the room.

The dinner has long been one of Washington’s most recognizable rituals, an annual gathering that brings together journalists, politicians and celebrities. The White House Correspondents’ Association, which organizes the event, was founded in 1914, and the dinner has also served a practical purpose by raising money for journalism scholarships and grants. In one year, the event distributed $118,500 to needy students.

Trump’s presence carried extra weight because of his years of open conflict with the news media. He boycotted the dinner throughout his first term and also skipped the first one of his second term. NBC News had reported that Trump was expected to attend his first White House Correspondents’ Dinner as president after those absences, making the evening a notable marker in his tense relationship with the press.

That relationship has shaped the event’s recent history. The dinner grew more politically sensitive after the backlash to Michelle Wolf’s 2018 performance, which helped push organizers toward a more cautious approach. In 2025, the dinner was held without the president and without a comedian, reflecting the increasingly somber mood around Washington and the strain between the White House and the press corps.

Even with those changes, the dinner remained a symbol of both access and accountability, and the evacuation underscored how quickly a ceremonial night in Washington can turn chaotic. What was supposed to be a polished showcase for the city’s political class instead became another reminder of the volatility surrounding Trump, the press and an institution that has spent more than a century trying to balance comedy, criticism and civic ritual.