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Trump Uses Rescheduled Correspondents’ Dinner to Target Reporters

The president’s hour-long roast at a tightly secured redo of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner signaled an escalated contest over how the administration treats and talks about the press.

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U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) Dinner, which was rescheduled from April after it was interrupted when a man tried to force his way through security and fired a shotgun, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 24, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Overview

  • President Donald Trump delivered a roughly hour-long speech at the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Friday that focused largely on criticizing journalists and media outlets rather than the traditional self-deprecating routine.
  • He singled out CNN’s Kaitlan Collins with mockery about her award and appearance and also attacked other on-air reporters and outlets, prompting an immediate public defense from CNN leadership.
  • The event was held at the Waldorf Astoria under heightened security and included a tribute to Secret Service officer Victor Gonzales and Washington Hilton staff for their response to the April shooting that interrupted the original dinner.
  • Attendees and commentators gave a muted response to large stretches of the address and some critics called the performance a flop while the president closed by donning a 'Trump 2028' cap and joking about another term.
  • The episode extends a broader trend in which the administration has clashed with news organizations through lawsuits and subpoena threats and could lead to more formal pushback by outlets and renewed debate over press access and protections.