Following shooting at White House Correspondents Dinner, Israeli leaders express relief for Trump’s safety

Following the attempted shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner late Saturday night, several Israeli leaders expressed relief that President Donald Trump was safely removed from the event. 

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar was the first Israeli leader to comment on the shooting attempt, praising the “swift action” of security in neutralizing the shooter. 

Saying that “Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with the United States and President  Trump,” Sa’ar condemned the shooting as an act of “political violence.” 

Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with the United States and @POTUS Trump.

I condemn in the strongest possible terms the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents dinner attended by President Trump, and commend American security forces for their swift action in…

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) April 26, 2026

President Isaac Herzog also praised the work of law enforcement in stopping the shooter, while expressing prayers for the U.S. 

“Relieved to hear that President Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, American leaders, and guests at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner were unharmed by the gunman who opened fire outside the event hall,” Herzog wrote to 𝕏. 

“We are thankful that the law enforcement officer shot during the attack is safe and on the path of recovery. From the Holy Land, we pray for the safety and security of the United States of America and its leaders after this heinous attack.” 

Relieved to hear that President @realDonaldTrump, @FLOTUS Melania Trump, Vice President @JDVance, American leaders, and guests at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner were unharmed by the gunman who opened fire outside the event hall.

We are thankful that the law enforcement…

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) April 26, 2026

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was shocked by "the attempted assassination" on President Trump.

"Sara and I were shocked by the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump last night in Washington, DC," he wrote to his official 𝕏 account. "We are relieved that the President and the First Lady are safe and strong."

President Trump and other administration officials were evacuated from the White House Correspondents Dinner at the Washington Hilton ballroom in Washington, D.C., after a gunman, identified as California teacher Cole Allen, rushed the dinner while carrying several weapons, authorities announced. 

In video from the event, gunshots can be heard while President Trump and his wife, Melania, were talking with Israeli-American mentalist Oz Pearlman, who was performing at the event. Within seconds, Secret Service and security agents begin rushing President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other officials from the scene. 

Following reports of shots fired at the White House Correspondents Dinner, reports say that the U.S. Secret Service now has a suspect in custody. Footage here shows the moment the purported shots were fired.
More to come. pic.twitter.com/iGRfYWadAb

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 26, 2026

President Trump posted a message to his Truth Social account shortly after the shooting attempt, praising law enforcement. 

“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we “LET THE SHOW GO ON” but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again,” Trump wrote. 

After the decision was made to cancel the event and reschedule, Trump spoke from the White House, claiming that the shooter “charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons.” 

President Donald J. Trump delivers a statement following a shooter near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. pic.twitter.com/wOr1SjdfvP

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 26, 2026

Trump also revealed that one of the security officers at the scene was shot by the attacker, but was saved by his bullet proof vest.