World leaders around the world quickly condemned the political violence and expressed relief that President Donald Trump was unharmed after a chaotic armed attack disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, DC on Saturday evening.
Their responses poured in to
The suspect – later identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California – was taken into custody and Trump was escorted from the stage unharmed. Officials said the suspect was a guest at the Washington Hilton, where the dinner was held, and was taken into custody at the scene. He is expected to appear in court on Monday.
In their responses, world leaders emphasized solidarity with the United States as well as concern about rising political violence.
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President Donald Trump and other government officials were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after reports of gunfire during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
French President Emmanuel Macron called the incident “unacceptable,” writing that “violence has no place in a democracy,” while expressing “full support” for Trump.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni echoed that sentiment and warned against political extremism.
“No political hatred can find space in our democracies,” she said, adding that democratic nations must not allow “fanaticism to poison the places of free debate and information.”
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “relieved” that Trump, the first lady and Vice President JD Vance were safe, stressing that violence “must be unequivocally condemned”.
Leaders across Europe struck a similar tone. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “shocked by the scenes” and called the attack one that “must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” especially as it targeted a high-profile democratic event.
President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House after an unspecified threat during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington on April 25, 2026. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “shocked” and added that democracies must “stand together against political violence.”
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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the incident as a broader threat to democratic systems, calling it “an attack on our free and open societies” and reaffirming solidarity with the United States.
Dan Scavino, White House Deputy Chief of Staff, jumps over a chair after an incident during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. President Donald Trump and other officials were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after reports of gunfire. The FBI’s Washington field office said a suspect is in custody. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as an “attempted assassination,” although US authorities have not publicly characterized it as such. He and his wife said he was “shocked” as they praised U.S. security forces for their “quick and decisive action.” He also wished speedy recovery of a police officer who was shot during the confrontation while wearing a bulletproof vest.
President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026, following the cancellation of the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner due to a possible shooting. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
From the Western Hemisphere, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “relieved” that all attendees were safe but called the event a “disturbing occurrence,” while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum simply said: “Violence should never be the right course of action.”
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Argentine President Javier Milei issued one of the strongest statements, condemning what he described as a “new assassination attempt” and linking the attack to “violent rhetoric from the left around the world.” His characterization has not been confirmed by US officials.
Louise Barnsley stands outside a house secured after the shooting incident at the correspondents’ dinner. (Louise Barnsley/Shutterstock)
Leaders from outside the traditional Western alliance also made their appearance. Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez said her government “strongly condemns” the attack and emphasized that “violence is never an option,” while European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas highlighted the symbolism of the location, noting that “an event intended to honor the free press should never become a scene of fear.”
Law enforcement officers detain a suspect lying face down on the ground following a security incident during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. (@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social)
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised US law enforcement and Secret Service agents for their “swift action” to bring the situation under control.
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The attack marks the latest in a series of security threats against Trump since 2024 and is likely to intensify scrutiny of security protocols at major public events involving the president. It will also likely revive conversations about rising political violence in the US
Authorities say the suspect acted alone and have not yet identified a motive. FBI and local law enforcement responded to the suspect’s home in Torrance Saturday evening.
