The singer-songwriter and frequent Trump critic made his remarks a day after the incident at the Washington Hilton.

Bruce Springsteen reflects on White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting: ‘No place’ for political violence in U.S.

The singer-songwriter and frequent Trump critic made his remarks a day after the incident at the Washington Hilton.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

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April 27, 2026 12:50 p.m. ET

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Bruce Springsteen; President Donald Trump. Credit:

Gareth Cattermole/Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty

- Bruce Springsteen is speaking out following the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner.

- "There is no place in any way, shape, or form for political violence of any kind in our beloved United States," Springsteen told the audience at his Austin concert Sunday evening.

- The suspect in the shooting is expected to appear in court on Monday.

Bruce Springsteen is thankful that President Donald Trump wasn't harmed at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night.

Springsteen, a fierce critic of Trump, spoke about the incident during his concert in Austin on Sunday evening. The day before, Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance were rushed out of the Washington Hilton ballroom when gunfire erupted during the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

"We begin tonight with a prayer for our men and women in service overseas, we pray for their safe return," said Springsteen, per fan videos shared on social media.

"We also send out a prayer of thanks that our president, nor anyone in the administration, nor anyone attending, was injured at last night's incident at the press correspondents' dinner."

Bruce Springsteen in Hollywood in October 2025.

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty

"We can disagree. We can be critical of those in power, and we can peacefully fight for our beliefs," continued Springsteen. "But there is no place in any way, shape, or form for political violence of any kind in our beloved United States."

* *reached out to the White House and did not receive an immediate response.

Springsteen has been critical of Trump for years. At his tour opener in May 2025, he called the Trump administration "corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous." In response, Trump called The Boss a "dried-out prune of a rocker."

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CNN reported that a suspect charged through a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton carrying a .38-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun just after 8:30 p.m. Saturday. According to CBS News, a Secret Service agent was hit with one round believed to be fired by the shooter.

The suspect was taken into custody and has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, by several outlets, including *The New York Times** *and CNN. Per the White House, Allen "clearly stated" that he was targeting administration officials. He is expected to appear in court on Monday.

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At a press conference following the incident, Trump called the suspect "a sick person, a very sick person." He added that the suspect "charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of Secret Service."

The Secret Service member who was shot at was "saved by the fact that he was wearing a, obviously, a very good bulletproof vest. He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun," the president said, per CBS News. "The vest did the job."

Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. in April 2026.

Kevin Mazur/Getty

When asked what he was feeling when the event happened after previous assassination attempts, Trump said, "it's always shocking when something like this happens. Happened to me, a little bit. And that never changes."

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