Donald Trump gives first speech at rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner

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The White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria on Thursday July 25 2026 was the first time President Donald Trump addressed the gathering as commander‑in‑chief, following a 2024 shooting that had postponed the event scheduled for April.^[2]

Security for the rescheduled dinner was unprecedented, with a sizeable Secret Service presence and additional protection measures inside the ballroom, a precaution that reflected the earlier attack outside the same venue.^[1]

During his remarks, Trump opened with light‑hearted jokes about the press, joking about bulletproof vests and the size of photographs, before moving toward criticism of prominent journalists and a broader commentary on political violence.^[3]

He referenced the April shooting directly, vowing that “no deranged loser with a gun will ever change the country” and asserting that “America cannot yield to violence.” The president also announced that he will run for a second term in 2028.^[1][3]

Reactions in the media

CNN issued a statement during the event saying that the right to report “without government interference” remains protected by the Constitution, a response to Trump’s barbs against Reuters‑style journalists and his naming of particular reporters such as Kaitlin Collins and Jake Tapper.^[3]

Other journalists mentioned in the lecture were congratulated by the president, including New York Times reporter Tyler Pager and a House‑Journalist who had won a prize for coverage of a subpoena claim, indicating a mix of criticism and appeasement in Trump’s tone.^[3]

Press freedom celebrated amid new security

The rescheduled dinner also served as a tribute to press freedom, echoing earlier themes after the original April event was cancelled when a gunman opened fire outside the ballroom.^[4]