Tuxedos and gunshots: Saturday, the big annual press gala in Washington, attended by Donald Trump, took a turn when an armed man tried to force his way in.

"On the ground! On the ground!"

Hundreds of journalists, ministers, diplomats and prominent figures from all over Washington, who a minute before were chatting politely over a plate of salad and glasses of wine, squat down or lie down on the ground.

A great deal of commotion can be heard outside the gigantic reception hall of the Hilton hotel in Washington.

Seated at the head table, on a raised platform, the American president initially remained unresponsive.

Then heavily armed security agents evacuated the 79-year-old billionaire, as well as other senior officials present: Vice President JD Vance, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and several cabinet members.

The background music stops in the room, bathed in a bluish and subdued light that adds to the unreal atmosphere of the moment.

Members of the Secret Service, the agency for the protection of dignitaries, stand with weapons drawn on the deserted platform, under a large banner reading "White House Correspondents' Association".

- Helicopter and flashing lights -

Very quickly, the news that shots had been fired spread.

It was confirmed to a group of journalists, including those from AFP, by Mehmet Oz, head of the public health insurance program, as he himself was escorted out by law enforcement.

For long minutes, the guests, pushed back by law enforcement to the ground floor of the hotel, remained speechless, glued to their mobile phones, waiting for news from the president.

Until he declared himself safe and sound on his Truth Social network.

Donald Trump initially suggested that the evening, which he was attending for the first time as president, could resume.

Then he announces that it is indeed cancelled, but that he will hold a press conference at the White House.

Some of the journalists rushed out of the hotel, the very same one where President Ronald Reagan had been the victim of an assassination attempt in 1981, heading towards the presidential palace.

They make their way through police cars with all their flashing lights on and law enforcement officers, while a helicopter roars above the neighborhood.

- 'We'll do it again' -

Two hours after the incident, the American president, himself in a tuxedo, appeared before an assembly of reporters in long dresses and bow ties.

He speaks of a "potential assassin" who intended to "kill" and gives details: an armed attacker attempted to force the security device at the entrance to the room and was arrested.

Donald Trump also indicated that a member of law enforcement was shot.

"It was a slightly different evening than we expected, but we'll do it again," the billionaire promised.

Throughout his first term and last year, Donald Trump stayed away from this gala, conceived as a celebration of freedom of the press which all his predecessors since the 1920s have attended.

Since his return to power, he has relentlessly attacked the media.

But on Saturday night at least, the Republican leader announced a sort of truce.

"I also want to thank the press, the media, you have been very responsible in your coverage," he said from the podium in the White House press room.