Trump official Karoline Leavitt's 'shots fired' remarks before DC shooting trigger internet

As investigations continue into the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) annual dinner at a hotel in Washington DC on Saturday (April 25) evening, a remark made by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt hours before the incident created a buzz on social media.

In a cheerful conversation with a Fox News journalist, she said there would be "shots fired" as President Donald Trump "brings the heat". While the official of the Trump administration uttered it figuratively, shots were indeed fired literally, which saw security personnel rushing Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and some other top officials of the Trump administration present in the ballroom to safety.

Also read: Man ‘armed with multiple weapons’ disrupts White House event at hotel, arrested

The 29-year-old Leavitt, who is from New Hampshire and has been serving in her post since Trump took over for the second time in January 2025, called the upcoming speech would be a “classic Donald Trump,” and said it would be funny and entertaining, adding that he would “bring the heat.”

'It'll be funny, entertaining'

“He is ready to rumble. This speech tonight will be classic Donald J Trump. It’ll be funny, it’ll be entertaining. There will be some shots fired tonight in the room. So everyone should tune in,” she said.

The shooter, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, reportedly entered the lobby area outside the venue armed with guns and knives and rushed towards the ballroom before being intercepted by US Secret Service personnel. He was quickly overpowered and taken into custody.

Also read: Who is Cole Tomas Allen, suspect in shooting at Trump event?

“The gunman had opened fire,” a US law enforcement official said, adding that one officer was struck in a bullet-resistant vest but is expected to be safe.

Coincidence or pre-planned?

The incident has triggered widespread reactions online. While some users described Leavitt’s remark as a coincidence, others questioned the timing and intent behind the statement.

“Listen closely to Karoline Leavitt. She predicted the shooting right before it happened. How did she know??” one user posted on X.

Several others raised doubts about the credibility of the episode, with some suggesting it could have been a deliberate attempt to gain political mileage.

Also read: Trump says he may face assassination risk for being a 'consequential President'

Another user shared a clip of Leavitt’s husband, Nicholas Riccio, speaking about her safety before the incident, further fuelling speculation and conspiracy theories online.

Trump likely target, says Blanche

Following the incident, Trump said preliminary assessments suggest the suspect acted alone. “They think he was a lone wolf actor, and I think that too,” he said.

Trump and members of his administration were probable targets of the attack, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Sunday (April 26), Reuters reported. One security official was shot at, but he was fine, Trump said.

This incident follows previous security threats against Trump, including a 2024 campaign rally shooting in Pennsylvania and an attempted assassination at his Florida golf club in September of the same year.

Also read: Trump assassination bid: FBI releases photo of shooter Crooks, ‘was a loner, bullied’

The incident also marked the first time Trump attended the WHCA annual dinner, a traditional event that is more than a century old, as the president.

As investigations continue, the episode comes amid heightened political tensions and security concerns in the US, adding to the unease surrounding high-profile public events.