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Polish leaders condemn Washington press dinner attack

27.04.2026 10:00
Poland's top leaders have denounced the attack at a White House correspondents' dinner in Washington and voiced solidarity with the United States after the incident involving President Donald Trump and members of his administration.
Audio
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump (left) attend the White House Correspondents Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel on Saturday. Both were later evacuated from the event after shots were fired inside the venue.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump (left) attend the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel on Saturday. Both were later evacuated from the event after shots were fired inside the venue.Photo: EPA/Yuri Gripas

President Karol Nawrocki said he was "profoundly concerned" by reports of the incident at the Washington Hilton Hotel and strongly denounced the use of violence.

"Such acts strike at the foundations of the state and democracy," Nawrocki wrote on the X social media platform on Sunday.

"I express my solidarity with the president of the United States and all participants in the event whose lives and health may have been at risk," he said.

'US is and will remain our most important ally': Polish president

"The United States is and will remain our most important ally," Nawrocke added.

Trump and his wife Melania were evacuated by the Secret Service on Saturday evening local time after shots were fired during the event attended by White House correspondents.

Vice President J.D. Vance and other members of the Trump administration were also escorted out of the event.

'Poland stands in full solidarity with America': PM

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned the incident, writing on X that "the whole free world unites" in condemning "the attempted attack in Washington."

"Poland stands in full solidarity with America," Tusk said on Sunday.

Authorities said a suspect opened fire in the hotel lobby and was apprehended by Secret Service agents before reaching the ballroom where roughly 2,600 guests were gathered.

The man, identified as 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen of Torrance, California, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives, investigators said.

He wounded a Secret Service agent before being overpowered. Trump later said the wounded agent survived thanks to a bulletproof vest and was in good condition.

No other attendees were harmed.

Security personnel stand on alert after hearing shots fired at the Washington Hilton Hotel during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner attended by US President Donald Trump and members of his administration on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Security personnel stand on alert after shots were heard at the Washington Hilton Hotel during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner attended by US President Donald Trump and members of his administration on Saturday.
Security personnel stand on alert after hearing shots fired at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, April 25, 2026. Photos: EPA/Yuri Gripass

Allen, who is expected to face charges on Monday, is believed to have acted alone.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Health Secretary Robert Kennedy and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum were among those inside the ballroom at the time of the attack, according to reports. Guests took cover under tables.

Trump appeared at a White House press conference two hours later, still in his tuxedo, and expressed hope the dinner would be rescheduled within the coming month, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said that Poland's chargé d'affaires in Washington, Bogdan Klich, as well as diplomats and journalists attending the gala were all safe.

Public broadcaster Polish Radio's Washington correspondent Marek Wałkuski was among those attending.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP

Click on the audio player above for a report by Michał Owczarek.