Is WHCD shooting a prank by Trump? Leavitt's 'shots fired tonight' comment sparks frenzy

ALBAWABA - A shooting occurred at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD) in Washington, D.C., on April 25. U.S. President Donald Trump, the First Lady, and other top officials were quickly removed safely by Secret Service agents as attendees took cover under tables. 

At first, shots were fired near the event venue at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026, causing panic among attendees and an immediate security response. 

Authorities arrested the suspected shooter and took him into custody. He was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California.

The attorney for the District of Columbia revealed the man had been charged with felony firearm and assault charges after he was caught with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives.

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Was shooting already planned?

A video reportedly showing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaking before the shooting attack has gone viral online, sparking debate about whether the gun attack was already planned by Donald Trump and his administration.

In the Fox News red carpet interview, Leavitt was asked about how the dinner would be. The White House Press Secretary responded that it will be a "classic Donald J. Trump night".

She told the reporter, "It will be funny. It will be entertaining. There will be some shots fired tonight in the room, so everyone should be tuned in to it."

Karoline Leavitt continued, "I'm looking forward to hearing it."

Karoline Leavitt before the WHCD event:

There will be some shots fired tonight in the room.pic.twitter.com/m5hfEeBzhZ

— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 26, 2026

Social media users are split on whether she knew about the shooting at the White House event or was just saying that the night would be an exciting event.

One person wrote, "I'm not saying she did this intentionally, but why the hell would she say there will be shots fired? That’s not a normal thing to say in this context." 

Another defended her by saying, "I hate both of them as much as the next guy, but I think she was talking about the speech being spicy here."

An X user said about the video, "It’s a coincidence. That’s a common term used to describe things that get said publicly that are extremely inflammatory. Nobody in her position would be foolish enough to announce it as if she had something to do with it. Come on, have you not lived at all?"