President Donald Trump made his inaugural appearance at the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) Dinner, a rescheduled gala held Friday evening in Washington, D.C., delivering a speech that spanned just over an hour. The address, characterized by its rambling nature, saw the President launch pointed criticisms at journalists, politicians, and celebrities with whom he has had public disagreements. This marked a significant departure from his previous four years in office, during which he notably boycotted the event, citing unfair press coverage.
The evening, held at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, began with a palpable sense of anticipation. The WHCA Dinner, a long-standing tradition dating back to 1920, typically serves as a platform for the President to engage with the press corps in a more informal setting, often involving comedic roasts. However, this year’s event carried a unique gravity, having been postponed from its original April 25th date due to what the White House described as an "evident assassination attempt on Trump" during the initial gathering. A gunman had reportedly breached security at the Washington Hilton, leading to the apprehension of a suspect and underscoring the volatile security environment surrounding presidential events.
Trump’s opening remarks conveyed a degree of uncertainty regarding the intended tone of his address. He suggested that he was "pulling his punches" compared to the barbs he might have delivered at the originally scheduled dinner. "I said, ‘What do we do here? Is this supposed to be fun? Am I supposed to be serious? Am I supposed to be a comedian?’ So I guess you said, maybe a little bit of everything," Trump stated, hinting at the multifaceted nature of his planned discourse.
However, this initial ambiguity quickly dissolved as the President pivoted to a direct and forceful critique of the media. "This evening it’s really all about the fake news media and your handling of prizes – writing and producing and performing made-up stories like the Academy Awards," Trump declared. He drew a parallel between the perceived decline in the Academy Awards’ ratings and the press’s coverage of his administration, asserting that the awards show "used to be the the epitome of ratings outside of the Super Bowl… Now it’s down in the dumps. Nobody wants to watch it anymore because they took on Trump. They hit me all night long." This comparison highlighted Trump’s consistent narrative of being unfairly targeted by both entertainment and news media.
The President’s rhetoric intensified as he projected a stark future for the press in his absence. "When I’m gone. You’re all going to be broke. Your business model is going to be finished. No, it’s true. 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 proclaimed, suggesting that his presence as a subject of news coverage was the primary driver of their economic viability.
Trump then elaborated on his decision to disengage from traditional media outlets, asserting that he had "given up on you and the media." He boasted about his presence on TikTok, claiming to be "number one on TikTok," and suggested that this pivot away from traditional press had been a strategic success, evidenced by his electoral victories, which he described, somewhat inaccurately, as a "landslide." He also claimed to have facilitated the sale of TikTok to a group of wealthy individuals, primarily Americans.
The President recounted his past boycotts of the WHCA Dinner, stating, "I thought the press treated me very, very unfairly, and I don’t know. I think I made the right decision because they need to go where maybe you’re not wanted, but they did want me. They wanted me for ratings, and they wanted me for other reasons, but not for love. And I said, ‘You know, I’m not going to go.’ First time that ever happened… And I didn’t go for four years because I got treated terribly by the press." This statement underscored a deeply entrenched animosity between Trump and a significant segment of the media throughout his presidency.
This year’s decision by the WHCA to forgo a comedian and instead have the President address the attendees directly was a point of contention for Trump. He criticized prominent late-night hosts, stating, "They considered using Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon… These guys – they’re terrible. They’re terrible. Stephen Colbert. These are people without talent… They have no talent, but they are not comedians. They’re not funny people. They’re angry people. They’re sick people." This was a direct jab at figures who had frequently satirized him.
Trump took the podium at approximately 9:33 p.m. and maintained his monologue for about 64 minutes, a length that significantly exceeded typical remarks at such events.
A peculiar moment arose when Trump referenced a conversation with Paramount CEO David Ellison, whose company owns CBS News. Trump recounted Ellison telling him that the following year, the WHCA dinner would be renamed "the Trump White House Correspondents’ Dinner." "He told me that, and I like that very much. We’re going to change the name of it, OK?" Trump said, humorously alluding to his prior unsuccessful attempt to have his name associated with the Kennedy Center. This statement, while presented as a jest, underscored Trump’s persistent focus on personal branding and legacy.
He also offered a seemingly complimentary, yet audibly jarring, remark about Bari Weiss at CBS News, calling her "a wonderful woman," which elicited an "audible murmur" from the audience. This particular comment appeared to be an attempt to acknowledge figures perceived as aligned with his views, even within a predominantly critical press corps.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was also mentioned, with Trump acknowledging her challenging role: "may have one of the hardest jobs in the White House" due to her constant interaction with the press. He described journalists as "very, very difficult people," adding, "But I’m probably being a little bit oversensitive. Sometimes I really do think that some of you don’t like me." This remark, while framed as a reflection on his own perception, served to reinforce his view of the press as an adversarial entity.
Trump’s description of the attendees as "the largest group of Trump derangement syndrome people ever put together at one time, I suspect," drew a "smattering of laughter." The phrase "Trump derangement syndrome" has been a recurring element in his political discourse, often used to dismiss critics and frame opposition as irrational.
The President then launched into a series of direct attacks on individuals he identified as perceived enemies. He named Don Lemon as the winner of "the lowest ratings and the ‘lowest IQ on television’," labeling him "the dumbest man on television." Trump’s commentary on Lemon included a dismissive remark about the possibility of reconciliation: "when you say some things, you never make a comeback. It’s not like, ‘Oh gee, hey Don, let’s have dinner some night.’"
CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, who had received a WHCA award for her coverage of a confrontation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in February 2025, was a specific target. Trump congratulated her but immediately qualified it: "on receiving her award… but said it ‘was all about me. It’s a fake. She shouldn’t get the award. It was a fake, but I didn’t mind.’" In response to Trump’s remarks, Mark Thompson, chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, issued a statement affirming their commitment to journalistic integrity: "We stand by our journalists and the integrity and fair mindedness with which the CNN team reports the news. Honest, accurate journalism may sometimes irritate politicians, but our right to report and present that reporting to the public without government interference is fully protected by the U.S. Constitution. CNN will continue to exercise this right."
Trump’s commentary on Collins then took a peculiar turn as he described her as "a young, active woman" who "never smiles." He recounted telling her, "’Kaitlan, do you ever smile? Smile. You have a nice position. You’re at CNN fake news. You should be a happy person. Just smile, Kaitlan. Just smile.’" He then attempted a joke linking her to a controversial Bud Light campaign featuring transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, stating she had signed "a major new sponsorship. But then I informed her that it wasn’t her on the Bud Light can. It was Dylan Mulvaney." Trump referenced the significant backlash and financial impact the Mulvaney campaign had on Bud Light, commenting, "Dylan Mulvaney cost Bud like $35 million in market cap. It was the worst commercial ever made, by the way. For those few people that want to hear that, most people don’t care, but I would. I wouldn’t want to hire Dylan anytime soon." This tangent revealed a willingness to engage in culture war-related commentary, even at a formal journalistic event.
Anderson Cooper, another CNN anchor, received a more nuanced critique. Trump acknowledged a past positive relationship, stating, "I like Anderson actually because he’s covered me well for many years, and he went bad as soon as I went for politics. But for years, he loved interviews. I did so many interviews with him, and he was great. But you know, he’s got a little different persuasion than me, in many ways actually." This indicated a selective appreciation for media figures based on their past coverage and current perceived alignment.
The President’s broadside extended to a range of political figures, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Schumer, Rosie O’Donnell (whom he called a "sick older woman"), and CNN’s Jake Tapper. Bruce Springsteen was also a target, with Trump questioning his appearance and performance: "What the hell happened to that guy? He looks like hell… I’m sure he doesn’t like the way I look, but I don’t look so bad." He criticized Springsteen for delivering "four political speeches in his three-hour show," quipping, "The tour has been renamed ‘Bored in the USA,’ and his new song was so bad."
Trump’s contentious relationship with the press has been well-documented. Beyond labeling news outlets "fake news" and insulting journalists, he has initiated lawsuits against several news organizations, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, ABC News, and CBS News’s "60 Minutes," over coverage he deemed unfavorable.
A particularly pointed moment occurred when the Wall Street Journal reporters who authored a story about a birthday letter purportedly written by Trump to Jeffrey Epstein were awarded the Katharine Graham Award for Courage and Accountability. Trump, who has denied writing the letter, had previously filed a $20 billion defamation lawsuit over the story, which the Journal’s lawyers characterized as "an affront to the First Amendment." Despite a judge’s initial dismissal of his suit, Trump refiled the complaint in May 2026, and the case remains pending. At the dinner, Trump acknowledged the reporters with an "awkward" handshake before "throwing up his hands in mock resignation." He later commented on the awards, "This has not been an easy evening. All these awards… Do I get a say in those awards?"
Near the conclusion of his lengthy address, Trump donned a "Trump 2028" hat and reiterated his unsubstantiated claim that he had won the 2020 U.S. presidential election, suggesting he would run for a fourth term. He expressed his intention to attend the correspondents’ dinner again in 2027.
The President also made a jest at the expense of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his Secretary of Health and Human Services, who was present. Trump’s remarks, delivered with a tone of mock concern, involved a bizarre anecdote about Kennedy and a cow: "Bobby Kennedy’s right here. He personally ran over the cow in his car… He brought it here for you to eat tonight. So it’s very fresh. And Bobby also suggested an appetizer featuring his favorite cut of male raccoon roadkill. But we drew the line at that, Cheryl. We said, no, we’re not going to do that. We’re not doing that. We love Bobby." This served as a peculiar attempt to inject humor through absurdity and a shared, albeit strange, familiarity.
The 2026 WHCA dinner featured a performance by mentalist Oz Pearlman, a departure from the tradition of inviting a comedian to roast the sitting president. This change in format was likely influenced by the heightened security concerns and the desire to avoid potential controversies or inflammatory humor directed at the President, especially following the April incident.
The original WHCA dinner on April 25th was indeed interrupted by an incident that was widely reported as an assassination attempt on Trump. The swift apprehension of the gunman by law enforcement was a key detail Trump acknowledged in his remarks, thanking the personnel involved. This event undoubtedly cast a long shadow over the rescheduled gala, adding an element of somber reflection to the proceedings.
Outgoing WHCA president Weijia Jiang, a senior White House correspondent for CBS News, delivered the opening remarks. She shared hosting duties with Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich, who is set to assume the presidency of the organization for the 2026-27 term. The transition of leadership within the WHCA signifies the ongoing evolution of the relationship between the press and the presidency, a dynamic that remains central to American democracy.
The implications of President Trump’s address at the WHCA Dinner are significant. His willingness to directly confront and criticize journalists, even at an event ostensibly celebrating the First Amendment, underscores his consistent approach to media relations. His focus on personal branding, his claims of victimhood, and his dismissal of established journalistic norms suggest a continuing divergence from traditional presidential engagement with the press. The event, marked by both solemnity due to the prior security incident and sharp, often confrontational rhetoric from the President, offered a stark illustration of the current state of the press-presidency dynamic in the United States. The extended duration of his speech and the wide-ranging nature of his criticisms suggest a deliberate effort to control the narrative and assert his dominance, even in an environment traditionally characterized by a degree of mutual respect, however strained. The reactions from figures like CNN Worldwide and the continued legal battles with news outlets highlight the ongoing tension and the stakes involved in the complex interplay between power and the press.
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