Jim Acosta Slams Trump’s WHCD Speech as a ‘Disgrace’ and Calls for Media Walkout

Jim Acosta unleashed a brutal critique of Donald Trump’s speech at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, labeling it a “disgrace.”

The event unfolded on July 24, featuring Trump delivering a rambling one-hour address at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C. This was a scaled-down version of the originally planned black-tie dinner, which had been abruptly canceled due to an assassination attempt on the 80-year-old president.

Security was tight, with attendance capped at around 700, including notable figures like Fox News’ Peter Doocy and CNN’s Kaitlan Collins.

Trump’s speech was a barrage of attacks on his critics, targeting personalities like Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Stephen Colbert, branding them as “sick” and “angry.” He boasted about his achievements and announced his candidacy for president again, donning a red Trump 2028 cap.

He began by praising the Secret Service and denouncing political violence but quickly pivoted to deriding the press, referring to them as “Trump Derangement Syndrome” individuals.

Kaitlan Collins was a particular target. She had just received a White House Correspondents’ Association broadcast journalism award for her coverage of Trump’s February 2025 Oval Office confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. As she walked across the stage, Trump shook her hand but then attacked her during his speech.

Trump dismissed her award-winning reporting as “fake,” insisting she “shouldn’t get the award.” He resurrected previous sexist comments about her demeanor, suggesting she should smile more. In February, he had made headlines for critiquing her expression during a question about Jeffrey Epstein.

At the dinner, he mocked her appearance, repeatedly telling her from the podium, “Just smile, Kaitlan. Just smile.”

The crowd responded with boos, and many of Collins’ CNN colleagues rushed to defend her online, asserting her professionalism in her role.

In response to the chaotic speech, Acosta took to social media to express his outrage. He condemned Trump’s address as “rambling” and “unhinged,” filled with “hate and spite,” and accused him of spewing venom at his usual targets.

“Let’s not sanitize how truly ugly it was,” Acosta stated, urging members of the press to rise and walk out of the event.

In another post on X, Acosta remarked on the atmosphere in the room: “The wide shots tell the story. Most people aren’t laughing. They can’t wait to call their Ubers to go home.”