Donald Trump attended a rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner on Friday, months after the original event was postponed following an attempt on the president's life. The gathering, billed as a more intimate affair, took place at Washington's Waldorf Astoria hotel with heightened security.
The original dinner was canceled in April after a gunman opened fire outside the venue. The White House Correspondents' Association vowed at the time that the event would proceed, stating that violence would not deter the annual celebration of the press.
President Trump was seated between WHCA President Weija Jiang and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. This marked Trump's first attendance at a White House Correspondents' Dinner as president. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described his upcoming remarks as a 'combination of unifying yet vicious, and serious yet hilarious, all at the same time.' Trump himself had previously hinted on his Truth Social platform that his statements might be 'nasty' towards certain individuals.
Significant changes were implemented for the rescheduled event. Security was enhanced, with a single entrance, airport-style metal detectors, and individual QR entry codes for guests. There was no red carpet or pre-dinner receptions. The venue was moved from its traditional location at the Washington Hilton, the site of the initial incident.
In addition to the president's address, the dinner recognized two honorees. Victor Gonzales, a Secret Service agent who was struck in his vest during the April incident, was presented with an award for his courage. The staff of the Washington Hilton hotel also received an award for their service during the original event.
The event proceeded with entertainment by mentalist Oz Pearlman, alongside the award presentations and Trump's speech. WHCA leadership emphasized the dinner's purpose as a celebration of a free press and journalism's role in democracy, particularly during the reflection on America's 250th anniversary. The dinner also occurs amid escalating tensions between the media and the current administration, which has employed various measures to pressure news outlets.