Trump Roasts Critics at Rescheduled Correspondents' Dinner Amid Gunman Chaos
President Trump declared, "The show must go on," just three months after a gunman disrupted the original White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, forcing an evacuation of attendees from the Washington Hilton.
The rescheduled event took place at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, featuring a reduced crowd of about 700 and heightened security measures. Outgoing White House Correspondents' Association president Weijia Jiang emphasized resilience, stating, "We will not be intimidated. We refuse to let an act of violence have the final word."
Trump's speech took a lighter tone than initially planned, revealing, "That was going to be a doozy. I was so psyched. I was going to rip people."
His hour-long address meandered through attacks on journalists, comedians, and political adversaries, including members of his own cabinet. He quipped about the dinner's beef tenderloin, jokingly attributing it to Bobby Kennedy's reckless driving.
Trump boasted about his impact on the press, claiming, "When I'm not around, you're going to be broke. There's not going to be anybody to report on. Nobody gives a damn about anybody else."
He made light of term limits and the 22nd Amendment, humorously announcing his intention to run for a fourth presidential term while donning a "Trump 2028" hat.
Familiar targets included former President Biden and various senators. When some jokes fell flat, Trump criticized his speechwriter, asking, "Who the hell wrote that?" after referencing Sen. Warren's Native American heritage.
The Wall Street Journal received the Katharine Graham Award for Courage and Accountability for its reporting on Trump's connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump shook hands with the award-winning reporters despite having refiled a defamation lawsuit against the publication.
CNN's Kaitlan Collins was recognized for her coverage of Trump's Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump dismissed her award, labeling her reporting as "fake" and urging her to smile more.
CNN Worldwide Chairman Mark Thompson defended his journalists in response to Trump's remarks, asserting that "honest, accurate journalism may sometimes irritate politicians." He reaffirmed the organization's commitment to reporting without government interference.
Trump also took aim at incoming White House Correspondents' Association president Jacqui Heinrich, describing her as "nasty" despite her beauty.
The event honored Secret Service Police Officer Victor Gonzales for his bravery during the gunman incident, with Jiang highlighting his actions in confronting the attacker.
Mentalist Oz Pearlman entertained guests with tricks, including accurately guessing the cash amount in Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's wallet: $85.
This marked Trump's first attendance at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner during his presidency; he had skipped the event in his first term. He teased a return next year but warned that if things got "really, really nasty," he might reconsider.
