Trump Speaks at Rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner
Select a version of the text written from a presumed ideological perspective. This is not the original text, but a hypothetical version — how someone with that viewpoint might have phrased it. Tapping the current version again will return to the original or select cleaned version.
President Donald Trump delivered a one-hour address at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, which was held three months after an attempted shooting forced the event's postponement.
President Donald Trump addressed the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Friday, marking the first time the event was held since an attempted mass shooting forced its cancellation in April. The ceremony took place at the Waldorf Astoria ballroom, now known as the former Trump International Hotel, and was limited to about 700 attendees with heightened security measures.
Trump opened his remarks by noting that “the show must go on,” and referenced the April incident as an “attempted mass murder.” He then shifted to a series of jokes and criticisms aimed at various public figures, including entertainers and politicians, as well as comments about journalists and media coverage of his administration. The president also hinted at the possibility of a third term, a notion barred by the Constitution, before concluding with a remark that he was “only kidding.”
White House Correspondents' Association president Weijia Jiang welcomed the gathering, emphasizing that the press would not be intimidated by the earlier violence. Awards were presented for journalistic bravery and for a Secret Service agent who intervened during the April attack. The evening featured a menu of lobster, beef Wellington and other dishes, and entertainment by mentalist Oz Pearlman.
Trump also expressed pride in the venue, saying he built it, and asked whether he had any influence over the journalism awards presented earlier in the night. He ended his speech by stating, “I have a lot of respect for your profession,” while also warning that journalists would be financially harmed without his presence.
The rescheduled dinner drew criticism from some observers who argue that the event blurs the line between reporters and the subjects they cover, potentially undermining public confidence in the press.