President Donald Trump (R) addressed the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner at the Waldorf Astoria on Friday, the first time he has attended the event during his presidency. The dinner was rescheduled from April after a shooting incident occurred outside the original venue, wounding a Secret Service agent. During his remarks, Trump stated that the United States does not "yield to political violence" and said differences should be settled through "open and vigorous debate."
The President’s hour-long speech included a mix of self-deprecating humor and criticism of news organizations. Trump joked about the cost of the venue—a former Trump International Hotel—and the security measures required for the event. He also directed specific criticisms toward CNN reporters Kaitlin Collins and Jake Tapper. In response, CNN issued a statement defending its staff and citing constitutional protections for reporting without government interference.
During the event, several news organizations received awards for their reporting. The Wall Street Journal was recognized for its coverage of correspondence between Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, and New York Times reporter Tyler Pager received an award days after being subpoenaed by the Department of Justice regarding reporting on Air Force One. Trump congratulated the award recipients. He concluded the evening by stating his support for a free press and wearing a "Trump 2028" hat.