President Donald Trump addressed the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday, marking his first appearance at the event during his presidency. The dinner, which is typically held in April, had been rescheduled following an assassination attempt against the president three months ago. In his remarks, Trump spoke for over an hour, addressing members of the press, political figures, and invited guests in attendance.
During the speech, Trump criticized several news organizations and individual journalists, specifically naming various media outlets he described as dishonest. He also made remarks concerning several political opponents and discussed his administration's policy goals. The President frequently departed from his prepared remarks to share anecdotes and respond to the reactions of the audience.
White House Correspondents’ Association President Kelly O’Donnell stated that the event serves as a celebration of the First Amendment and the role of a free press. While past presidents have often used the dinner to perform lighthearted comedic routines, Trump’s address focused largely on media criticism and defense of his administration's record. The event concludes a period of heightened security following the July 13 shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.