Leaders from around the globe shared their concern over what happened and opposition to political violence
World leaders across the globe swiftly condemned political violence and expressed relief that President Donald Trump was unharmed after a chaotic armed attack Saturday night disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, D.C.
Their responses poured in on X after a man armed with guns and knives stormed the lobby of the Washington Hilton and charged toward the ballroom, where Trump, lawmakers, journalists and foreign dignitaries were gathered, prompting Secret Service agents to open fire and guests to dive under tables.
The suspect — later identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California — was taken into custody, and Trump was rushed offstage unharmed. Officials said the suspect was a guest at the Washington Hilton, where the dinner was being held, and was taken into custody at the scene. He is expected to appear in court on Monday.
In their reactions, world leaders emphasized both solidarity with the United States and concern over rising political violence.
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, D.C., 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, warning 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.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “relieved” 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,” calling the attack one that must be “condemned in the strongest possible terms,” particularly given it targeted a high-profile democratic event.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “appalled,” adding that democracies must “stand together against political violence.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte framed 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.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino jumps over a chair after an incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2026. President Donald Trump and other officials were evacuated from the Washington Hilton following reports of gunfire. The FBI’s Washington field office said a subject is in custody. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as an “attempted assassination,” though U.S. authorities have not publicly characterized it as such, saying he and his wife were “shocked” while praising U.S. security forces for their “swift and decisive action.” He also wished a speedy recovery to a police officer who was shot in a bullet-resistant vest during the confrontation.
President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., 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” all attendees were safe but called the episode a “disturbing event,” while Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said simply, “Violence should never be the way.”
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 of the left all over the world.” His characterization has not been confirmed by U.S. officials.
Louise Barnsley stands in front of a home secured after the correspondents’ dinner shooting incident. (Louise Barnsley/Shutterstock)
Leaders from beyond the traditional Western alliance also weighed in. 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 venue, noting that “an event meant to honour a 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, D.C., on April 25, 2026. (@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social)
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised U.S. law enforcement and Secret Service agents for their “swift action” in containing the situation.
The attack marks the latest in a string 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 renew conversations about rising political violence in the U.S.
Authorities say the suspect acted alone and have not yet identified a motive. FBI and local law enforcement officials descended on the suspect’s Torrance home Saturday night.
PM Meloni has it right,
“No political hatred can find space in our democracies,”
Those that feed their hatred should understand THEY are part of the problem when it comes to violence and should listen to the Bible that those who live by the sword, die by the sword. This sicko got lucky, unlike the attempted assassin in Pennsylvania, he took a round from the Secret Service straight through his face.
Though this individual went egregiously outside the law, the boiling sewage that brought this nut job to the surface is the crimes/sins of this administration, not the criticism thereof.
Romans 14:22 New King James Bible
Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
“the crimes/sins of this administration”
True. The US Justice Department had a long-standing study from its site showing that right-wing violence “continues to outpace all other types of terrorism and domestic violent extremism” in the United States. (This was a 2024 analysis from the National Institute of Justice that cited decades of data indicating far-right extremists have been responsible for the majority of ideologically driven homicides.)
Donald Trump’s niece Mary Trump enraged MAGA world by sharing the cold hard truth that her uncle is responsible for the “political violence” that he is desperately trying to blame on Democrats.
“Political violence and the rhetoric that drives it are almost entirely on the side of the Republican Party, and no person is more responsible for it than Donald Trump.”
Nope. He is an adult and can’t blame his actions on someone else. Period. As an adult you should know this. Quit apologizing for violence.
Why is the shooter naked anyway?
They partially stripped him looking for weapons, think he was wounded also so they tended to that as well.
TY. 👍
I believe that he was just shirtless, not naked.
What a clown show.