Shooting again puts Washington Hilton at center of presidential history
A shooting during the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton in 2026 revived memories of the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan at the same location. The hotel has long been a hub for presidential events, with security upgrades implemented after the Reagan shooting. The recent incident underscores the site's recurring role in pivotal moments of presidential history.
- ▪On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr. outside the Washington Hilton after addressing a union event.
- ▪The bullet that struck Reagan ricocheted off his limousine and entered through a narrow gap in the door, seriously injuring him and others including press secretary James Brady.
- ▪The Washington Hilton was designed with presidential security in mind, featuring a secret passageway, safe room, and a private underground entrance used by multiple presidents.
- ▪After the 1981 attack, the hotel constructed a secure garage to prevent exposure of presidents during arrivals and departures.
- ▪The hotel has hosted numerous presidential events, including inaugural balls, the National Prayer Breakfast, and multiple appearances by presidents from Lyndon Johnson to Joe Biden.
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Politics White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting again puts Washington Hilton at center of presidential history By Katrina Kaufman Updated on: April 28, 2026 / 11:33 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google When shots rang out at the Washington Hilton as President Trump sat in the ballroom for the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday night, there were echoes of the hotel's storied presidential history.On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan nearly died after John Hinckley Jr. pulled out a .22 caliber revolver and unleashed six shots in 1.7 seconds, from a mere 15 feet away, as the president was leaving the hotel.
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