A shooting attempt disrupted US President Donald Trump’s ballroom address at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, triggering immediate evacuation, panic and a massive security response at a Washington DC hotel Saturday night. The incident unfolded at the Washington Hilton shortly before Trump was due to speak, as guests reported hearing multiple gunshots near a security screening checkpoint outside the main ballroom.Secret Service agents swiftly moved to shield Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials before escorting them to safety. Armed officers rushed through the venue and secured the perimeter, ordering hundreds of guests—including journalists, lawmakers, and public figures—to duck under tables. Authorities later said they apprehended a suspect, and one officer was injured but protected by a bulletproof vest.
The dramatic episode has added to a timeline of threats faced by Trump, ranging from rally shootings and armed suspects to poison letters, foreign-linked murder plots and repeated security lapses, making him one of the most frequently targeted political figures in modern US history.
Here is a detailed look at major incidents involving Donald Trump:
- April 2026, White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting scare: On April 25, 2026, shots were heard while Trump attended the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington. Secret Service officers evacuated Trump, Melania Trump, JD Vance and several Cabinet members from the Washington Hilton. Authorities later said the suspect was detained. Trump praised security officers for acting swiftly and said one officer was shot but saved by a bulletproof vest. Information based on official statements and media reports following the incident.
- February 2026, Armed intruder shot at Mar-a-Lago: On February 22, 2026, Secret Service officers shot and killed Austin Tucker Martin, a 21-year-old man from North Carolina, after he allegedly entered the grounds of Mar-a-Lago carrying a shotgun and gas canister. Trump was in Washington at the time. The incident raised fresh concerns over security at Trump properties. Reported by law enforcement and US media.
- March 2026, Mar-a-Lago no-fly zone violation: On March 29, 2026, a civilian aircraft entered restricted airspace over Mar-a-Lago and was intercepted by NORAD fighter aircraft. Authorities said the no-fly zone had been violated while Trump was linked to the property’s security perimeter. Based on aviation and defence reports.
- October 2025, Air Force One security concern: On October 16, 2025, Secret Service agents discovered a suspicious elevated hunting stand near Palm Beach International Airport with a direct line of sight toward Air Force One’s parking area. The structure was found during a security sweep before Trump’s arrival. No suspect was located, but the FBI opened an inquiry. Based on media and federal reports.
- August 2025, Gun slips through screening at Trump golf club: On August 31, 2025, a member of Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, accidentally brought a loaded Glock handgun into the club while Trump was present. The weapon reportedly passed manual inspection and magnetometer screening before the individual self-reported it. Secret Service launched an internal review. Based on security reports.
- August 2025, Woman charged over death threats: A 50-year-old Indiana woman was arrested in Washington DC in August 2025 after allegedly posting violent threats against Trump online and telling investigators she had a bladed object. Authorities said she circled the White House complex during a protest before her arrest. Based on charging documents and media coverage.
- May 2025, False assassination letter case: In May 2025, a handwritten threat letter claiming a Mexican immigrant planned to shoot Trump at a rally led to an arrest. Investigators later concluded the accused man could not have written the note. Prosecutors later charged another man, Demetric Scott, saying he wrote the letter to get a witness deported. Based on court filings.
- October 2024, Armed suspect arrested near Coachella rally: On October 12, 2024, a man was detained near a checkpoint outside a Trump rally in Coachella, California. Police said he possessed two firearms, ammunition, multiple passports with different names and a vehicle with fake plates. Based on police statements.
- September 2024, West Palm Beach golf club assassination attempt: On September 15, 2024, Ryan Wesley Routh was allegedly seen with a rifle hidden in bushes near Trump International Golf Club while Trump was golfing. A Secret Service agent fired at him. He fled but was later arrested. Authorities later said he intended to kill Trump. He was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Based on FBI and court records.
- July 2024, Butler, Pennsylvania rally shooting: On July 13, 2024, one of the most serious attempts on Trump’s life took place during a rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. Thomas Crooks fired multiple shots from an AR-15-style rifle. Trump was wounded in the upper right ear. One attendee, Corey Comperatore, was killed and two others critically injured. Crooks was shot dead by a Secret Service sniper. The attack triggered multiple investigations and led to the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. Based on FBI and Senate findings.
- 2024, Iran-linked murder-for-hire plots: US authorities alleged multiple Iran-linked plots to kill Trump in 2024. Pakistani national Asif Merchant was charged with recruiting people to murder Trump on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In another case, Farhad Shakeri and others were accused in a separate plot. Iran denied involvement. Based on US Justice Department announcements and court proceedings.
- September 2020, Ricin letter mailed to Trump: Canadian national Pascale Ferrier was arrested after allegedly mailing a ricin-laced letter addressed to Trump during the 2020 presidential campaign. She was later sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison. Based on federal court records.
- August 2020, Escorted from White House briefing: On August 10, 2020, Trump was abruptly escorted from a White House press briefing after Secret Service officers shot an armed suspect outside the White House perimeter. Trump later returned to continue the briefing. Based on White House pool reports.
- October 2018, Poison mail scare: An envelope containing castor beans, initially feared to contain ricin, was intercepted before reaching Trump in 2018. Additional suspicious mail was also sent to the Pentagon. A Utah man was later arrested. Based on federal case records.
- September 2017, Forklift attack attempt: In Mandan, North Dakota, Gregory Lee Leingang stole a forklift and allegedly tried to drive it toward Trump’s presidential motorcade. He later admitted he intended to flip the limousine and kill the president. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Based on court proceedings.
- November 2016, Reno rally gun scare: Days before the 2016 election, Trump was rushed off stage during a rally in Reno after someone in the crowd shouted “gun.” A man was tackled by security but later found to be unarmed. Trump returned to the stage minutes later. Based on contemporaneous media reports.
- June 2016, Las Vegas rally gun grab attempt: At a rally in Las Vegas, British citizen Michael Steven Sandford attempted to grab a police officer’s weapon while Trump was speaking. He later told authorities he wanted to kill Trump. Sandford was convicted, jailed and deported to the United Kingdom. Based on court records.
Poll
In your opinion, does the frequency of threats against Donald Trump affect his public image?
