Trump Delivers Sharp Jabs and Announces 2028 Run at White House Correspondents Dinner
The annual White House Correspondents Dinner, typically a glamorous mingling event between politicians and journalists, was markedly subdued this year. Originally scheduled for April, the event was canceled mid-way due to a shooting outside the venue. On the night between Friday and Saturday, President Donald Trump attended a scaled-down, heavily secured dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, formerly known as the Trump International Hotel. Attendance was cut from 2,600 to just 680 guests, with notable absences including First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump used the occasion to mock the journalists, calling them "cowards" and noting their heavy protective gear.
Despite the tight security, including sniffer dogs and wristbands, the event proceeded smoothly. Israeli-American mentalist Oz Pearlman, whose previous performance was interrupted by the shooting, returned to complete his act. Trump joked about the incident, referencing rapper Nicki Minaj's supposed reaction during the panic. He also poked fun at his Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., recounting a bizarre story about Kennedy hitting a cow with his car and serving the meat, and joking about a rejected idea to serve roadkill raccoon.
Trump awarded a prominent prize to Wall Street Journal investigative reporters who exposed a 2003 letter Trump allegedly sent to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Despite having sued the Journal for $20 billion last year, Trump theatrically applauded and shook hands with the journalists. The White House Correspondents Association president, CBS reporter Weijia Jiang, emphasized the resilience of free press amid tensions, referencing recent court-ordered withdrawals of subpoenas against New York Times reporters.
In his speech, Trump announced his intention to run for a fourth presidential term in 2028, wearing a "Trump 2028" hat. He criticized Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, calling him a "crybaby" and "proud Palestinian," and mocked other political and media figures. Trump reiterated his commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and expressed willingness to continue negotiations. The event ended on a conciliatory note with Trump thanking the press and acknowledging their important role, despite his earlier barbs.
