Karoline Leavitt Jokes About ‘Shots Fired’ Ahead Of White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting; Erika Kirk Later Seen In Tears Exiting Event: ‘I Just Want To Go Home’

Karoline Leavitt Jokes About ‘Shots Fired’ Ahead Of White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting; Erika Kirk Later Seen In Tears Exiting Event: ‘I Just Want To Go Home’

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Videos of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk have gone viral following shots fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday evening (April 25).

RELATED: Donald Trump Releases Footage After Being Evacuated From White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting; 31-Year-Old California Man Cole Allen Arrested & Charged

Karoline Leavitt Ironically Jokes ‘Shots Will Be Fired’ Before Shooting Erupts At White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Starting with the press secretary, Leavitt was interviewed by Fox News ahead of the dinner. During her chat, Leavitt was asked about President Donald Trump‘s speech for the evening. As we previously shared, his appearance at the event marked the first time he’s attended as president. He previously attended in 2011, but only as a guest.

Leavitt told Fox News that Trump was “ready to rumble” and that his “speech tonight will be classic Donald J. Trump.” She continued to share, “It’ll be funny. It’ll be entertaining. There will be some shots fired tonight in the room. So, everyone should tune in. It will be really great. I’m looking forward to hearing it.” 

Leavitt’s comments have since been picked apart on social media after literal shots were fired in the lobby of Washington, D.C.’s Hilton Hotel. The gunman has since been taken into custody and identified as a 31-year-old California man, Cole Tomas Allen. His initial charges include two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence, plus assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. 

The incident unfolded steps away from the ballroom, which held Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, mentalist Oz Pearlman, White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) President Weijia Jiang, and tons of press.

RELATED: Donald Trump Says He Doesn’t Know How Long He’ll ‘Be Around’ After Mar-A-Lago Shooting: ‘I Got A Lot Of People Gunning For Me’

Erika Kirk In Tears As She Exits White House Correspondents’ Dinner: ‘I Just Want To Go Home’

Elsewhere, Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, also went viral. Videos showed her emotional as she was quickly escorted from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner following the shooting. Erika was seen in tears and telling folks, “I just want to go home,” as she left the dinner. Witnesses also report she was hiding under the table as last night’s shooting incident unfolded.

The incident unfolded months after Erika’s husband was fatally shot. He was assassinated on September 10, 2025 during a public speaking engagement.

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Ariela Anís: Ariela Anís is your fav Panamanian music aficionado and HU Rockstar! She not only contributes to social media, but is also a senior writer and produces 'The Jason Lee Show' and 'The Jason Lee Podcast.' She previously produced the now-defunct 'Hollywood Unlocked with Jason Lee' podcast, iHeartRadio show and Fox Soul TV show; plus, HU's live YouTube show 'Gagging with Jason Lee.' Connect on Instagram: ari.anis | Twitter: arielaanis