Trump jokes about 2028 run, takes aim at 'fake news' at rescheduled press dinner
President Donald Trump addressed the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Friday night, three months after the original event was disrupted by a shooting. Trump, making his first appearance at the annual dinner as president, mixed jokes with pointed criticism of the media, and revived talk of serving a third term, which the Constitution bars.
The event, which celebrates press freedom and honors journalism, was rescheduled after a gunman attempted to storm the proceedings in April in an alleged effort to assassinate Trump. Held at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, DC, the dinner was scaled down to about 700 guests, a smaller crowd than the original gathering at the Washington Hilton.
"The show must go on," Trump said at the start of his speech, echoing remarks from the night of the April incident. He reflected on the attack, saying, "It was an assault on our democracy itself; it was a very serious situation." Trump praised his aides, including Pete Hegseth, Steve Miller, and Tom Holman, for showing "bravery" during the incident, and honored Secret Service officer Victor Gonzalez, who was shot at a security checkpoint outside the ballroom. "What he did was amazing," Trump said, saluting Gonzalez.
Coverage comparison
Multiple outlets reported on Trump's address, with some focusing on his jokes about a potential third term, while others highlighted his criticisms of the press. Al Jazeera reported that Trump joked about running for a fourth term, noting that the event came three months after the first was cancelled by a shooting. Deutsche Welle also carried the third-term joke, describing the gala as being held "amid heightened security measures." ABC Australia emphasized that Trump "poked fun at the press" and mostly stuck to a "warm and relaxed tone." In contrast, Dawn and France 24 English led with Trump's "fake news media" comments and his talk of a "banned third term," while BBC World noted that Trump accused journalists of having "Trump Derangement Syndrome." The Jerusalem Post focused on Trump's remark about Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, which was not reported by the other outlets.
While the framing differed, most reports agreed on the core details of the event's rescheduling and Trump's overall tone. Some sources described the April incident as a "shooting," while others called it an "assassination attempt." Trump himself said the show must go on, and several outlets noted that he delivered an hour-long speech that alternated between friendly banter and pointed attacks.
Key claims
Trump's speech touched on several notable themes. He joked about serving a third term, despite the 22nd Amendment barring a president from being elected more than twice. "Just like my presidency, the second time is always better. And the third time will be better yet," Trump said, before adding, "I'm only kidding." He later pulled out a red "Trump 2028" cap and announced his intention to run for a fourth term, calling it a "scoop."
Trump also took aim at the media, calling the assembled journalists "the largest group of Trump derangement syndrome people ever put together at one time." He said he respected "most" of the journalists in the room but suggested that some of them did not like him. "I really do think that some of you don't like me," he said.
Trump acknowledged the awards ceremony, during which journalists from outlets he has sparred with, including the New York Times, CNN, and the Wall Street Journal, were honored. He shook hands with a Wall Street Journal team that had reported on his ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. "This has not been an easy evening, all these awards," he joked.
Trump also made light of the April shooting, joking about the chaos that ensued. "After hearing the gunshots, many people yelled, 'Get down! Get down!', which caused Nicki Minaj to start twerking. Do you believe it? Get down!" he said, according to Deutsche Welle.
The alleged gunman, Cole Tomas Allen, has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president, as reported by multiple outlets.
Perspectives
Trump's remarks drew a range of reactions from attendees and observers, though the provided coverage does not include direct quotes from critics. The White House Correspondents' Association president, Weijia Jiang of CBS News, said the event would return to the Washington Hilton next year, signaling a commitment to resuming the tradition. The outgoing WHCA head said she would "refuse to let an act of violence have the final word," according to BBC World.
Trump's appearance marked his first at the dinner as president, having boycotted it during his first term. He said he had not attended previous dinners because the press had treated him "unfairly." His speech touched on press freedom, with Trump saying, "We settle our differences not with bullets, but with open and vigorous debate. And no deranged loser with a gun will ever change that."
While the event celebrated journalism, some outlets noted that press freedom advocates have criticized the Trump administration over lawsuits against media organizations and restrictions on access. Trump has rejected such criticism, saying his administration promotes accountability and addresses bias.
As the dinner concluded, Trump ended his speech with a mix of appreciation and a parting jab, telling journalists he had "tremendous respect" for them, while adding, "When I'm gone you're all going to be broke."