The president and first lady had just taken their seats on stage at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner on Saturday. The color guard had left the room after “Hail to the Chief” and the national anthem, and now we all sat down and began the first course.
We had just passed the bread basket around the table while chatting when the sound of four different bangs sounded in the distance and the room seemed to freeze.
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Seconds later, U.S. Secret Service agents ran down the center aisle, some on top of tables, with plates falling to the floor as people shouted, “Get down!” My wife and the secretary’s wife hid under the table; The secretary’s security personnel were on top of him within seconds. The president, first lady and vice president were chased off stage as officers in full tactical gear ran to the front of the stage with long rifles and pointed their guns at the crowd, looking for any shooters.
No one was injured.
Law enforcement personnel detain Cole Tomas Allen, a suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooting in Washington, DC, U.S., April 25, 2026. (Donald J Trump via Truth Social/Handout via Reuters)
The gunman was stopped before reaching the enormous ballroom. But the trauma of that moment, the final assassination attempt on President Trump, was real for everyone in that room.
Across America, I can easily imagine people wailing in despair and frustration over yet another act of violence — by all accounts, at least the third assassination attempt on President Donald Trump.
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Violence, when it occurs, pierces our hearts and rattles our sense of common cause. Too many people believe that our unity has crumbled after 250 years. They wonder whether our nation can remain strong. And a shooting at a rally celebrating the First Amendment seems like a bitter setback.
But even as we experienced the trauma of that moment, President Trump was back in the White House and struck a different tone. As we all know, this is a president who isn’t afraid to mix things up. He will enter into conflict without hesitation. And he would have been forgiven if he had expressed his anger that night.
Instead, the president had a different message: one of unity. In his address to the nation, he said: “We must resolve our differences.”
He described the hotel ballroom, filled with “Republicans, Democrats, independents, conservatives, liberals and progressives.” And he noted that after the incident, “there was a tremendous amount of love and coming together. I watched… and I was very, very moved by that.”
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The president talked about meeting with some Democrats as he left. Acknowledging that they were usually hostile towards him, he said: ‘Last night they waved at me. Politicians, congressmen, senators. They waved and said, “Good job” and “Hello.” The place was just coming together. It was very nice to see.”
For his part, President Trump admitted that he previously planned to give a media-heavy speech. “I really wanted to tear it up,” he said. But after the shooting, he knew he had to change his tune.
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If the program had resumed, he would have made “a love speech.”
I’m not saying that a few words, even if spoken by the president, can immediately change an environment that has become increasingly divisive in recent years. But a president’s words matter, especially at a moment of national crisis. Also particularly powerful are words that speak of a personal change of heart.
Think about it. What better example of resilience than saying, “I wanted to say something that was divisive, but now I’m going to say something that unites”? We are all capable of that simple gesture – in our families, among colleagues and friends, and yes, in our political lives.
As we prepare to celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary, perhaps we can put aside our fears, set aside the conspiracy theories and bridge the gap.
We do not have to accept political violence. We do not have to accept a constant clash of ideologies.
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This anniversary calls us to remember the principles that enabled people very different from each other to write this pledge in the Declaration of Independence: “We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
Just two days after the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, we were once again reminded of our strength and resilience. That memory came from across the sea during the visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Their visit was especially meaningful on the eve of our anniversary, marking our separation from Britain.
Yet here we are, two nations that have forged a deep friendship. Although there have been times in our history when our policies have clashed, including some current frictions, King Charles has put these differences aside.
Before a joint session of Congress, the king recalled that his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was the only other monarch to ever make such a speech during her 1991 visit. He called it a “significant honour,” then and now.
“So I come here today with the utmost respect for the United States Congress,” he said, “this citadel of democracy created to represent the voice of the entire American people and to promote sacred rights and freedoms.”
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Referring to the shooting, he expressed solidarity with America. “We are united in our commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, and to honor the courage of those who risk their lives every day in the service of our countries.” He praised America’s signature moment, which he called the “Spirit of 1776,” the year of our Declaration of Independence, and noted wryly, “We may agree that we do not always agree.”
And here was his point, in words that will live on for some time. To loud applause, he expressed them sincerely: “Our two countries have always found ways to come together. And by Jupiter, Mr. Chairman, when we have found that way to agree, what great changes will be brought about – not only for the benefit of our peoples, but for all peoples. This, in my opinion, is the special ingredient in our relationship.’
Later that evening, King Charles and Queen Camilla were honored at a state dinner, where their friendship continued to blossom.
Amy and I were proud to attend. The formal white-tie affair showed all the pomp and pageantry the White House can muster.
As we walked to the receiving line, President Trump, standing next to King Charles, said to me, “A very good speech on Capitol Hill by the King, right Bret?” I said, “Yes, sir. Your Majesty, it was quite an achievement for the King of England to speak to America ahead of his 250th birthday and our independence from your country, to deliver a speech that succeeded in reminding Americans to be more American, more optimistic and progressive.”
He smiled and replied, “Well said. Happy 250th.’
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After toasts and musical performances, the dinner concluded and I realized that I was once again witnessing the triumph of resilience over despair.
It’s a well-known American story for 250 years.
Editor’s Note: Bret Baier’s new book: “The Case for America: An Argument on behalf of our Nation”, will be published on May 5, 2026, in celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary.
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