Verdict: Partially True.
President Trump did call the Washington Hilton “not a particularly secure building” after the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, 2026. He linked this event to his push for major White House upgrades. He specifically mentioned the need for a new ballroom with advanced security features like drone-proof ceilings, bulletproof glass, bunkers, and military installations.
Trump has used national security arguments for months to support the $400 million East Wing ballroom project. He claims delays from court rulings leave the White House exposed. Judges have allowed underground security work to continue but blocked above-ground ballroom construction without Congressional approval.
Clarifications: The Hilton incident involved a gunman stopped at a checkpoint – not a failure at the White House itself. Trump’s comments tie external venue risks to his long-planned renovations. Critics see this as using the event to pressure courts and Congress on a controversial project. The White House has always had security upgrades, but the current ballroom plan faces legal and historic preservation challenges.
Questions were raised about the level of security at the hotel where the dinner was held. One attendee noted that guests only needed to flash a ticket to enter the lobby – with no formal screening.
