Trump mixes barbs and 2028 joke at rescheduled correspondents dinner

President Donald Trump appeared at the White House Correspondents Association dinner on Friday night, three months after a gunman disrupted the original event with an apparent assassination attempt outside the Washington Hilton. The rescheduled gathering took place at the Waldorf Astoria, where Trump delivered remarks that alternated between acknowledgments of the press and pointed remarks about coverage he considers inaccurate.

The April incident involved a suspect who fired a shotgun at a security checkpoint before being detained. That event led to the postponement, and both the association and the administration decided to hold the dinner anyway. Trump opened by noting the decision to proceed, referring to the earlier disruption as an attempted mass murder that could have affected attendees.

During the hour-long speech, Trump praised some journalists for their work and said he had set aside sharper material prepared for the original date. He described the atmosphere as improved by the shared experience of the shooting scare. At the same time, he repeated criticisms of what he called fake news and questioned the accuracy of certain reporting on his administration. He also made jokes about public figures, including comments on the weight and intellect of former officials, and referenced his health secretary in connection with the evening's menu.

Trump made a passing remark about a possible third term, pulling out a red cap labeled Trump 2028 and saying he was only kidding before moving on. The comment drew attention because the Constitution limits presidents to two terms. Earlier in the evening, association leaders and some reporters thanked Trump for attending and noted the importance of presidents appearing before the press corps despite disagreements.

Reactions to the speech varied. Some attendees described moments of common ground after the April scare. Others, including commentator Van Jones, called the address mean-spirited and unfocused, saying it failed to connect with broader public concerns. The dinner itself honored journalists with awards for coverage of the current administration, an annual feature of the event that raises funds for scholarships.

The correspondents association has held the dinner for more than a century as a celebration of press access and First Amendment protections. This year's version occurred against a backdrop of legal and administrative actions by the administration targeting media outlets and individual reporters. Trump has maintained that such steps address what he views as biased or false reporting rather than an effort to limit inquiry.

Security arrangements were tightened compared with prior years, and the smaller venue reflected adjustments made after the April shooting. No further incidents occurred. The evening concluded with the usual mix of speeches and presentations, though several accounts noted that audience attention waned during longer stretches of the president's remarks.

The event underscored the persistent friction between the administration and much of the Washington press corps. Trump has attended such dinners only this once across his two terms, choosing instead to communicate directly through other channels. Association members have continued to frame their role as one of accountability, while the president has argued that routine coverage often substitutes narrative for evidence.