Armed Secret Service agents stand on stage during a shooting incident at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026.Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

‘Violence has no place’: EU leaders condemn attack at Trump dinner – POLITICO

26 Apr 2026, 09:22 by Milena Wälde · POLITICO

European leaders rushed to condemn political violence on Sunday after a gunman stormed a security checkpoint and opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner the night before, sparking chaos and forcing U.S. President Donald Trump and guests to be evacuated.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen took to X to say that she was “relieved” Trump and attendees were safe, adding: “Violence has no place in politics, ever.”

European Council President António Costa called the scenes at the dinner “deeply unsettling,” while praising the “swift action of law enforcement” in securing the venue.