Correspondents’ Dinner entertainer Oz Pearlman recalls ‘surreal’ moments during and after shooting

Event Overview

Correspondents’ Dinner entertainer Oz Pearlman recalls ‘surreal’ moments during and after shooting

Updated 5 days ago
CNN
Associated Press
Fox News
3 articles3 sources
Multiple Perspectives

Oz Pearlman, a mentalist performing at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, described the chaotic moments during a shooting incident that led to the event's cancellation. As shots were fired, President Donald Trump was quickly evacuated by the Secret Service. The shooter, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, was apprehended. Pearlman characterized the scene as 'surreal' and filled with confusion and fear, a sentiment echoed by multiple sources.

What This Means

The shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner resulted in the event's cancellation and raised significant security concerns, as President Trump and other officials were evacuated safely.

Original Reporting (3)
Performer close to Trump during shooting describes what happened | CNN Politics
CNN
CNN
Left
4/26/2026

Performer close to Trump during shooting describes what happened

Oz Pearlman, who was performing at the White House Correspondents' Dinner when the shooting began, describes how the Secret Service rushed Trump off of the stage after the shots rang out. US President Donald Trump called CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell a “disgrace” in a terse response after she read excerpts from writings.

U.S. Secret Service agents respond near President Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Associated Press4/26/2026

Shots fired as gunman charges toward ballroom at White House correspondents' dinner. Trump unharmed

President Donald Trump was unharmed and other top White House officials were evacuated from an annual dinner of the White House Correspondents’ Association after a man armed with guns and knives stormed the lobby and opened fire. The shooting suspect was taken into custody and identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of.

Correspondents’ Dinner entertainer Oz Pearlman recalls ‘surreal’ moments during and after shooting
Fox News4/27/2026

Correspondents’ Dinner entertainer Oz Pearlman recalls ‘surreal’ moments during and after shooting

Mentalist Oz Pearlman recounts the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner that forced the event’s cancellation on ‘One Nation.’ Mentalist Oz Pearlman opened up about the chaotic moments during the weekend shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, describing the scene as "surreal" and filled with.