World leaders express shock, support after White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting

World leaders reacted on Sunday with shock and support for U.S. President Donald Trump after a man armed with multiple weapons charged a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday before being apprehended by U.S. Secret Service agents.

Trump, first lady Melania, and members of Trump’s Cabinet were evacuated from the event. One officer was shot, but he was “saved by the fact that he was wearing obviously a very good bulletproof vest,” Trump told reporters during a press conference in the White House briefing room following the incident.

The suspected shooter was identified later Saturday as Cole Allen of Torrance, California. He is being held by authorities as they investigate the shooting.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “shocked” by the scenes at the dinner.

“Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” said in a post on X.

Starmer has faced repeated criticism by Trump for not being more supportive of the U.S. and Israeli-led war against Iran.

King Charles III of the U.K. is “being kept fully informed of developments” in the U.S., according to media reports citing a statement from Buckingham Palace. The monarch is due to visit Trump in the U.S. on Monday.

“A number of discussions will be taking place throughout the day to discuss with U.S. colleagues and our respective teams to what degree the events of Saturday evening may or may not impact on the operational planning for the visit,” the BBC quoted the palace as saying.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in remarks at the start of a government meeting, said: “There is no place for violence, not against political leaders and not against anyone. This includes not only the United States; it includes, first and foremost, the State of Israel, from within.”

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, whose country has been under attack as Israeli forces pursue Iran-backed Hezbollah forces, added to the condemnation of the shooting.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is mediating talks between the U.S. and Iran, also said he was shocked by the incident.

“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,” Sharif said in a post on X.

The U.S.’s other allies in the Middle East also voiced their support for Trump.

The United Arab Emirates, which has suffered repeated retaliatory strikes by Iran, expressed its “strong condemnation of such criminal acts and its unwavering rejection of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability.”

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry also denounced the shooting.

Leaders from the European Union reacted with unanimity to the shooting.

“Violence has no place in politics, ever,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas echoed those sentiments.

“An event meant to honour a free press should never become a scene of fear. I wish the injured officer a swift recovery,” Kallas added in a social media post.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose relationship with Trump has soured in recent months over the Iran war and Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo, joined the chorus of support for Trump following the shooting.

“I wish to express my full solidarity and most sincere closeness to President Trump, to First Lady Melania, to Vice President Vance, and to all those present for what happened at last night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner,” Meloni said.

“No political hatred can find space in our democracies. We will not allow fanaticism to poison the places of free debate and information. The defense of the culture of confrontation must remain the insurmountable bulwark against every intolerant drift, to safeguard the values that found our Nations,” Meloni added.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, one of the U.S.’s staunchest allies in Asia, said: “Political violence is a grave threat that undermines the very foundation of democracy and can never be justified under any circumstances.”