Magic to Mayhem: Oz Pearlman Recalls What He Showed Melania Trump Before Shooting Rampage

A magic trick that initially surprised guests took a tense turn during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 26 at the Washington Hilton. Reports circulating on social media claimed that a disturbance caused panic inside the ballroom, where many attendees were present, including Donald Trump.

However, authorities have not confirmed reports of gunfire, and details about what exactly occurred remain unclear.

Oz Pearlman, who performed at the event, spoke about the moment. He said he had just completed a trick involving Karoline Leavitt when the disturbance began.

“The timing was insane,” Pearlman told USA Today. “Right as I did the reveal, that’s exactly the moment things went down in the room.”

During his trick, Pearlman asked Leavitt, who is all set to welcome her second child, to think of a name for her unborn daughter. He then showed a notepad with the same name written on it - Viviane. Leavitt also confirmed that he had guessed it correctly.

“She said, ‘I don’t know how the hell you guessed my daughter’s name,’” Pearlman added.

Before Leavitt, Pearlman was engaging with First Lady Melania Trump with his tricks. This was moments before the attack happened.

Guests barely had the time to react before and started panicking. Some people ducked under tables as Secret Service agents arrived at the scene. Pearlman also went to the floor and found himself right next to the president. He said, “Seeing his face a foot away - I’ll never forget that. I thought, ‘Oh no, are we about to die?’”

Officials said the suspect is identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, who breached security and exchanged fire with the agents before being taken down. One agent was hit in a bulletproof vest but is expected to recover. No other injuries were reported.

The ballroom was filled with journalists, celebrities, and senior officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Pearlman said he had noticed lighter security compared to other events. “There was ease of movement.” He added that “Usually there is checkpoint after checkpoint.” Still, he praised the response. “The Secret Service moved so incredibly fast. It was a success, and no one died.”

In the aftermath, Pearlman shared his experience online, calling it the “scariest moment” of his life. He said he first thought it was a bomb blast. “I was bracing, thinking the room was about to explode,” he shared.

Despite the incident, plans are underway to reschedule the dinner within 30 days. Pearlman said his show may change. He said, “It would have to take a different note.”

Reflecting on the night, he called it “bittersweet” but urged resilience. “You have to live your life. We can’t let the violence win,” he added.