WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump addressed a rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Friday evening, three months after the original event was disrupted by an alleged assassination attempt. Held at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, a former Trump property, the gathering was marked by heightened security and a notably smaller, more intimate setting compared to its traditional venue at the Washington Hilton.
Trump, attending the event for the first time in years amid longstanding tensions with the press, opened his remarks with a reflection on the April incident, during which a gunman fired shots near the original venue, leading to Trump’s evacuation. “The show must go on,” he said in a tone that initially appeared conciliatory. However, the speech soon shifted to a combative critique aimed primarily at the media and Democratic opponents.
Describing the attendees as the “largest group of Trump derangement syndrome people ever put together,” Trump launched into a series of barbs, recalling his typical campaign rhetoric. He also revived discussions around the possibility of serving a “third term,” despite constitutional limits. After jokingly claiming he was only kidding, Trump later pulled out a “Trump 2028” cap and said he was “pleased to announce” his intention to seek a fourth presidential term, framing the comment as somewhat of a scoop. Throughout the speech, he displayed frustration with his speechwriters when certain lines failed to resonate.
Despite the confrontational tone, Trump concluded his hour-long address by expressing “tremendous respect” for the journalists present, while warning that “when I’m gone you’re all going to be broke.” He also signaled his intention to attend the dinner next year.
The event’s rescheduling followed a violent disruption in April when California resident Cole Allen, 31, allegedly attempted to assassinate the president by opening fire near the Washington Hilton. Allen has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted murder. In response to the prior incident, the Secret Service and local law enforcement imposed an extensive security perimeter around the Waldorf Astoria this time. Roads were closed, and a significant presence of police and National Guard members was visible, though guests faced only routine ID and QR code verification upon entry.
The rescheduled dinner featured performances by mentalist Oz Pearlman and included a tribute to a Secret Service agent credited with intervening in the April attack. Secret Service Director Sean Curran publicly defended the agency’s response to the initial incident, asserting that “the system worked” in protecting those present.
Organizers stated that the 2027 dinner would return to the Washington Hilton. Outgoing White House Correspondents’ Association president Weijia Jiang emphasized resilience in the face of violence, declaring, “We are back. We will not be intimidated. We will not let an act of violence have the final word.” Incoming WHCA president Jacqui Heinrich also affirmed plans for the event to resume its traditional location next year.