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World leaders around the world swiftly condemned the political violence and expressed relief that President Donald Trump was safe after a chaotic armed attack disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, DC, on Saturday night.
Their reactions at the
The suspect – later identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California – was taken into custody, and Trump was escorted off the stage unharmed. Authorities said the suspect was a guest at the Washington Hilton, where the dinner was being held, and he was taken into custody at the scene. He is expected to appear in court on Monday.
In their responses, world leaders emphasized both solidarity with the United States and concern over increasing political violence.
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President Donald Trump and other government officials are evacuated from the Washington Hilton after reports of shots fired during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “full support” for Trump, calling the incident “unacceptable”, and writing that “violence has no place in a democracy”.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni echoed that sentiment, warning against political extremism.
“There can be no place for any political hatred in our democracies,” he said, adding that democratic countries must not allow “bigotry to poison the spaces of free debate and information.”
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “relieved” Trump, the First Lady and Vice President J.D. Vance were safe, stressing that the violence “must be unequivocally condemned.”
Leaders across Europe spoke in unison. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “appalled by the scenes”, adding that the attack was one that “must be condemned in the strongest possible terms”, particularly given that 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 making an unspecified threat at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington on April 25, 2026. (Jose Luis Magaña/AP)
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “appalled” and said 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 society” and reaffirmed solidarity with the United States.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino jumps on a chair after an incident at 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 following reports of shootings. The FBI’s Washington Field Office said one person is in custody. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as an “assassination attempt”, although US officials have not publicly characterized it as such, saying he and his wife were “shocked” while praising the “swift and decisive action” of US security forces. He also wished speedy recovery to the police officer who was hit by a bullet in his bullet resistant vest during the confrontation.
President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House on April 25, 2026, in Washington, DC, following the cancellation of the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner due to possible firings. (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 incident “disturbing”, while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum simply said, “Violence should never be the way to go.”
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Argentinian President Javier Meili issued one of the strongest statements, describing what he described as a “new assassination attempt” and linking the attack to “the violent rhetoric of the left around the world.” His characterization has not been confirmed by US officials.
Louise stands in front of the safe house following the Barnsley reporters’ dinner shooting incident. (Lewis Barnsley/Shutterstock)
Leaders beyond the traditional Western alliance also supported it. Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez said her government “strongly condemns” the attack and stressed that “violence is never an option”, while European Commission Vice President Kaja Callas highlighted the symbolism of the site, adding that “an event organized to honor the free press should never become a scene of fear.”
Law enforcement officers detain a suspect lying face down on the floor following a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. (@realdonaldtrump/truthsocial)
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised US law enforcement and Secret Service agents for “swift action” in containing the situation.
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The attack is the latest in a series of security threats against Trump since 2024 and is likely to intensify scrutiny over security protocols at major public events involving the president. It is also likely to reignite the conversation about rising political violence in the US
Authorities say the suspect acted alone and have not yet identified a motive. The FBI and local law enforcement officials responded to the suspect’s Torrance home Saturday night.
