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Trump takes swipes at press during White House Correspondents' Dinner

July 25, 2026

President Donald Trump attended the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association dinner, which was being held after the original April event was interrupted by a shooting incident. During his hour-long speech, Trump alternated between cordial remarks praising press freedom and pointed attacks on media outlets he has criticized and sued, including the New York Times and CNN. The president honored award winners, including a Secret Service officer who was shot during the April incident, while also accusing journalists of having "Trump Derangement Syndrome" and making jokes about running for a third term in 2028.

Who is affected

  • President Donald Trump
  • White House press corps and journalists from outlets including New York Times, CNN, Wall Street Journal, and CBS News
  • WHCA President Weijia Jiang of CBS News (outgoing)
  • Secret Service Officer Victor Gonzalez (shot at the April event)
  • Cole Tomas Allen (31-year-old shooting suspect)
  • Award-winning journalists, including a Wall Street Journal team
  • Approximately 700 dinner attendees
  • Democratic politicians and celebrities (mentioned as targets of Trump's remarks)
  • Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and other administration officials in attendance

What action is being taken

  • Trump is delivering remarks at the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association dinner
  • Awards are being presented to journalists, including Officer Victor Gonzalez
  • Security personnel are implementing heightened security measures with roadblocks, double screening with QR codes and IDs, wristbands, and armed Secret Service officers
  • Trump is making jokes and directing criticism at media outlets during his speech
  • WHCA is hosting the scaled-down event with approximately 700 attendees

Why it matters

  • This event is significant because it represents a critical test of the relationship between the Trump administration and the press following a violent shooting attempt at the original April dinner. The dinner traditionally celebrates press freedom and the role of journalism in democracy, making Trump's mixture of conciliatory gestures and harsh attacks particularly noteworthy. The event also highlights ongoing tensions between the White House and media organizations, especially given Trump's recent threats to revoke network licenses. Additionally, the decision to proceed with the event despite the earlier violence demonstrates the press corps' commitment to not letting acts of violence suppress their work and dedication to press freedom.

What's next

  • The WHCA dinner will return to the Washington Hilton (the scene of the April shooting) next year
  • Cole Tomas Allen faces charges for attempting to assassinate the president of the United States (legal proceedings ongoing)

Read full article from source: BBC