The Washington Hilton has now witnessed two major security incidents involving US presidents. After the assassination in 1981, the hotel earned the grim nickname “Hinckley Hilton”. 45 years later, the same building made headlines again during the filming of the White House dinner on April 25, 2026.
Ronald Reagan: March 30, 1981
President Ronald Reagan had just finished addressing members of the AFL-CIO at the Washington Hilton. He was walking toward his limo at the T Street NW exit when chaos broke out. Ironically called “President’s Walk”, this passageway was a safe route built after the assassination of JFK.
Shooter John Hinckley Jr. opened fire from the crowd of onlookers. He fired six shots in just 1.7 seconds from point-blank range. Hinckley’s motive was deeply disturbing. He wanted to impress actress Jodie Foster.
Reagan was not directly hit by any of the six bullets. The last shot ricocheted off the armored side of his limousine. It then entered his body under his left armpit and lodged in his lungs.
At first, Reagan appeared unharmed and even walked into the hospital himself. However, he soon started coughing up blood inside the presidential limousine.
Secret Service agent Jerry Parr made a split-second decision that saved Reagan’s life. He immediately diverted the convoy to George Washington University Hospital. Surgeons successfully removed the bullet and Reagan made a full recovery.
Three other people were injured in the attack that day. White House Press Secretary James Brady was shot in the head and left permanently disabled.
Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy was struck in the chest while protecting the president. DC police officer Thomas Delahanty was shot in the neck during the attack.
Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity. He spent over 30 years in a psychiatric hospital. He was released in 2016. Then, in 2022, he was granted a full, unconditional release from all judicial restraints.
Donald Trump: April 25, 2026
The same hotel became a crisis zone again in the White House dinner shooting. Around 8:40 p.m., gunfire broke out near the magnetometers outside the main ballroom.
President Trump, Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance were quickly evacuated. Cabinet members, including Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., were also present and moved to safety.
One police officer was hit, but was protected by a bulletproof vest. The officer is expected to make a full recovery.
A 31-year-old former teacher from Torrance, California, was taken into custody. Cole Tomas Allen was said to be carrying several weapons, including a shotgun and a handgun.
The Washington Hilton has now hosted two of the most alarming presidential security crises in American history. Both incidents happened within steps of the same exit.
