Overview
- The coalition of more than 250 journalists and major press groups, in a letter sent Monday, asked the White House Correspondents’ Association to denounce President Trump from the stage when he attends the April 25 dinner for the first time as president.
- The letter lists actions it calls an assault on press freedom, including bans on outlets such as the Associated Press, coercive regulatory probes of news content, cuts to public broadcasting, physical limits on reporters, arrests of journalists, and pardons for people who attacked the press.
- The WHCA president traditionally addresses press freedom at the dinner, and this year CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang holds that role.
- Some attendees plan quiet protests with First Amendment lapel pins or pocket squares, and the letter urges a standing toast after a forceful defense of press freedom from the podium.
- Reporting also flags scrutiny of media-owner ties to the administration, citing the Skydance–Paramount deal and a $16 million settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against CBS that preceded approvals, which critics say can blur the line between business interests and independent coverage.