Trump confirms attendance at rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner
The White House Correspondents’ Association has moved the annual gala to July 24 at the Waldorf Astoria, citing enhanced security measures after a suspect was injured in a shootout at the original venue.
US President Donald Trump has confirmed he will attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which has been rescheduled to July 24 following a security breach at the event’s original date. The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) announced the change after suspect Thomas Cole Allen rushed a security checkpoint on April 25, leading to an exchange of gunfire that injured Allen and a security officer.
The incident prompted the evacuation of President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump by the Secret Service, resulting in the cancellation of the April gathering. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump described the decision to reschedule the event as a "sign of Strength and Fortitude," adding that the administration would not allow "Lunatics to change our way of life, or even its scheduling."
WHCA President Weijia Jiang, a reporter for CBS News, confirmed the new date and venue, the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, DC, a property previously owned and developed by the President. Jiang stated that the association would not allow "an act of violence to have the last word," particularly during the year marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. The event will feature mentalist Oz Pearlman as entertainment, replacing the traditional comedian slot.
While Trump confirmed his attendance, he hinted that he may deliver a speech containing criticism of the media, similar to remarks he had prepared for the April date. "I don’t know whether or not I will give the same rather nasty statements, at least as it concerns certain people, but we will soon find out," Trump wrote. The President has previously characterised the news media as the "enemy of the people" and has threatened reporters with treason charges.
Press freedom advocates have expressed concern that the dinner could provide a platform for the President to attack journalists. This warning follows recent administrative actions, including the designation of the Pentagon’s press office as a classified space, which effectively barred reporters from entry. Groups have cautioned against using the occasion to normalise attacks on the press, describing the administration’s actions as a systematic assault on freedom of the media.
This marks the first time Trump has agreed to address the gathering during either of his two presidential terms. He last attended the century-old event in 2015, having boycotted it during his first term due to hostile media coverage. His previous attendance in 2011 saw him mocked by then-President Barack Obama and comedian Seth Meyers regarding his reality television background and "birther" conspiracy theories.
Since the April incident, Trump has cited the security disruption as justification for the construction of a White House ballroom, arguing it is necessary for future safety. The rescheduled dinner represents a significant shift in protocol, moving to a more intimate venue with heightened security measures to ensure the event proceeds as planned.
