Cheryl Hines Shares Experience from White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Cheryl Hines recounted a frightening experience she had during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner where she and her husband, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., had to be evacuated after hearing what sounded like gunshots.

“I just got back from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and wow, what a moment it was,” Hines shared on her Instagram story. “We were sitting there when we heard a gunshot, and everyone instinctively ducked under the tables. It was all a bit chaotic, no one really knew what was happening. Then, Bobby’s security team surrounded us and whisked us away. They even had to lift me onto a chair because, you know, I was wearing heels and a gown. After that, they took us through the back exits, and we hopped in the car and got out of there.”

Later, she provided another update online, expressing gratitude for the concern from her followers. “Thanks to everyone checking in on me. We’re okay! I’m just home in my pajamas, watching the news like everyone else. Please, everyone, stay safe.”

The event took a chaotic turn when a suspected gunman, identified as Cole Allen, allegedly bypassed a security checkpoint and opened fire. President Donald Trump was quickly escorted out of the ballroom at the Washington Hilton Hotel, and footage showed attendees seeking shelter under tables amid a wave of panic.

This incident resonated with several attendees who have experienced political violence in their lives, including Trump himself, Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy, House Minority Leader Steve Scalise, and TPUSA CEO Erica Kirk. At a press conference following the event, Trump remarked, “The people who have the greatest impact are the shooters. They tend to target those making a significant difference because, well, I suppose they see something in that.”

During the alarming situation, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was quickly removed from the venue, given his family’s historical ties to political assassinations.

In response to the incident, President Trump praised law enforcement’s swift action, highlighting the effectiveness of the Secret Service in managing the situation. He stated, “There was still a long way to go, but they truly were the first line of defense. They acted decisively.”

Cole Allen, the alleged shooter, has since been apprehended.