World leaders react with shock after Washington gala shooting
US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang attend the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, DC on April 25, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS
World leaders expressed shock after a shooter charged a glitzy media gala in Washington on Saturday night, attended by US President Donald Trump, and relief that there were no casualties.
US law enforcement said the sole suspect, armed with "a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives," has been detained and will face charges Monday in federal court.
Here is how leaders reacted:
United Kingdom
Britain's prime minister said he was "shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington overnight."
"Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms," Starmer wrote on X on Sunday.
I am shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington overnight.
Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
It is a huge relief that @POTUS, the First Lady and all those…France
French President Emmanuel Macron said the incident was "unacceptable".
"Violence has no place in a democracy," he said on X. "I extend my full support to Donald Trump."
The armed attack targeting the President of the United States last night is unacceptable. Violence has no place in a democracy. I extend my full support to Donald Trump.
Italy
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her "full solidarity" and "sincere closeness" to Trump, the First Lady, Vance, and all those present at the gala, saying that "no political hatred can find space in our democracies. We will not allow fanaticism to poison the places of free debate and information."
Desidero esprimere la mia piena solidarietà e più sincera vicinanza al Presidente Trump, alla First Lady Melania, al Vice Presidente Vance e a tutti i presenti per quanto accaduto alla cena dei Corrispondenti della Casa Bianca di ieri sera.
Nessun odio politico può trovare…Germany
Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his concern in a post by condemning the attempted attack, saying that "violence has no place in a democracy. We decide by majorities, not by the gun."
Violence has no place in a democracy. We decide by majorities, not by the gun.
I condemn the attempted attack in Washington and am relieved that President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and all those present are safe.Pakistan
PM Shehbaz and President Zardari condemned the attack as well. Shehbaz wrote he was "deeply shocked by the disturbing shooting incident."
Deeply shocked by the disturbing shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, D.C., a short while ago.
Relieved to know that President Trump, the First Lady, and other attendees are safe.
My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish…"Relieved to know that President Trump, the First Lady, and other attendees are safe. My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish him continued safety and well-being," he wrote on X.
President Zardari also strongly condemned the shooting incident, calling it an act of terror.
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, expressed relief that President Trump & the First Lady are safe, and termed the incident a heinous act of terrorism.
Israel
The Israeli prime minister said he and his wife, Sara, were shocked by the attempted assassination of Trump.
"We are relieved that the President and the First Lady are safe and strong," Netanyahu wrote on X.
"We send our wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the wounded police officer and salute the US Secret Service for their swift and decisive action."
Sara and I were shocked by the attempted assassination of President @realDonaldTrump last night in Washington, DC. We are relieved that the President and the First Lady are safe and strong. We send our wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the wounded police officer and salute…
India
The prime minister of India said he was "relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed."
"I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned," Modi wrote on X.
Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel. I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be…
Turkiye
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan condemned "the attempted armed attack that took place last night at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington. It is gratifying for us that no one was injured, especially President Trump and his esteemed wife Melania."
He added, "in democracies, struggles are waged with ideas; there is no place for any form of violence."
Dün gece Vaşington’da Beyaz Saray Muhabirleri yemeğinde gerçekleşen silahlı saldırı girişimini kınıyorum.
ABD Başkanı Sayın Trump ve değerli eşi Melania Hanım başta olmak üzere kimsenin yaralanmaması, bizler için sevindiricidir.
Demokrasilerde mücadele fikirle yapılır,…Canada
The Canadian prime minister said he was "relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe."
"Political violence has no place in any democracy, and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event," Carney wrote on X.
I am relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe following reports of gunfire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington tonight.
Political violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by…Mexico
The Mexican president wrote on X that "it is good that President Trump and his wife are safe following the recent events. We send them our respect."
"Violence must never be the way," Sheinbaum added.
Qué bueno que el presidente Trump y su esposa se encuentren bien, tras los recientes acontecimientos. Le enviamos nuestro respeto. La violencia no debe ser nunca el camino.
Spain
Spain's prime minister condemned what he called "the attack that took place tonight against President (Trump)."
"Violence is never the answer. Humanity will only move forward through democracy, coexistence, and peace," Sanchez wrote on X.
Condenamos el ataque que se ha producido esta noche contra el presidente @realDonaldTrump.
La violencia nunca es el camino. La humanidad solo avanzará a través de la democracia, la convivencia y la paz.Hungary
Hungary's outgoing prime minister, Viktor Orban, a Trump ally, said: "There's no place for violence in politics".
Troubled by the news of the attempted shooting of President @realDonaldTrump at an event in Washington. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and Melania. There's no place for violence in politics!
European Union Foreign Policy Chief
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Sunday that "political violence has no place in a democracy".
Kallas said she was "relieved" there were no casualties, adding: "An event meant to honour a free press should never become a scene of fear."
Relieved that everyone who attended, including President Trump, are safe after the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Political violence has no place in a democracy.
An event meant to honour a free press should never become a scene of fear. I wish the injured…Japan
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took to X, saying she was relieved that the US President was "safe after the terrifying gunshots," adding that, "violence can never be tolerated anywhere in the world."
I am relieved to learn that President Trump is safe after the terrifying gunshots.
Violence can never be tolerated anywhere in the world.
トランプ大統領が、恐ろしい銃撃の後、ご無事だとの報に接し、安心しました。
暴力は、世界のいかなる場所でも、決して容認できません。@POTUS…