President Donald Trump’s address at the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner on Saturday drew a mix of reactions from attendees, marked by a lengthy speech filled with jokes, insults, and unexpected moments of candor.
The event, held in the Waldorf Astoria ballroom in New York City, was a scaled-down affair with about 700 guests, significantly smaller than the originally scheduled dinner in April that was canceled due to a security incident. That earlier event ended abruptly after a gunman attempted to assassinate the president, forcing an evacuation. Enhanced security measures this time ensured that no such disruption occurred.
Trump’s speech lasted over an hour and veered across various topics, including Fourth of July festivities, Bruce Springsteen, and his plans for a “grand ballroom.” The president made several self-deprecating remarks about his speechwriters and repeatedly referenced the possibility of serving a third or even fourth presidential term. However, his remarks also included controversial elements: he told a sex joke and multiple fat jokes, and directed personal insults at members of Congress and reporters. Notably, he called Senator Adam Schiff (D-California) “Watermelon head,” and criticized CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, calling her a “young, attractive woman” who “never smiles” and telling her she did not deserve an award she received that evening.
The president’s critiques extended to his own speech, at one point rhetorically asking whether he was expected to be serious, fun, or a comedian—questions that seemed to echo the ambivalent reaction from the audience. Attendees seated near the administration, such as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, frequently laughed. However, many journalists at other tables responded with silence or visible discomfort, with some choosing not to applaud when the speech ended.
The evening also included moments intended to elevate the tone. The WHCA presented an AI-generated video featuring a virtual James Madison speaking on the First Amendment in the context of social media. Mentalist Oz Pearlman performed a magic act following Trump’s speech, though several guests left early, and the crowd’s subdued response reflected the mood. The association also honored Secret Service officer Victor Gonzales, who apprehended the shooter at the April event, receiving a standing ovation. Outgoing WHCA president and CBS reporter Weijia Jiang, the first woman of color to hold the position, delivered a heartfelt speech sharing her family’s immigration story.
Earlier in the evening, the Wall Street Journal’s investigative team was awarded for their reporting on Trump’s links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. When the reporters went on stage, Trump shook their hands but also gave an exaggerated shrug, causing a ripple of applause and laughter. Later, Trump mockingly called one reporter, Josh Dawsey, “unhireable” during his remarks.
Ultimately, the event underscored the ongoing tension between the administration and the press corps. Trump acknowledged the challenge of speaking at the dinner, admitting the experience was “far worse than I actually thought.” He also pledged to return next year to continue his remarks. The dinner, blending satire and political theater, highlighted the strained relationship between the president and the media amid a setting that traditionally aims to balance critique with camaraderie.