President Donald Trump’s speech at the rescheduled 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner on July 25 was a chaotic mix of self-pity, insults, and awkward attempts at humor, leaving attendees and critics divided over its tone and substance. The event, held at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C., marked Trump’s first appearance at the annual gathering since April, when an assassination attempt had forced its postponement. The president’s remarks, which lasted an hour and four minutes, included jabs at journalists, Democratic lawmakers, and even his own cabinet, while also featuring a rare acknowledgment of his term’s impending end.
A Speech That Failed to Land
I’m going to send him a beautiful Palestinian outfit tomorrow so he can greet Bibi Netanyahu when he comes to town next week,
he said of Schumer, referencing the Israel-Hamas conflict.
A Shift in Tone, But Not in Content
Trump acknowledged the “heinous attack” that had disrupted the original event, vowing that in America we do not yield to political violence.
He praised the Secret Service and invoked the First Amendment, saying, We settle our differences not with bullets, but with open and vigorous debate.
However, his speech retained its signature aggression, particularly toward media outlets. CNN CEO Mark Thompson responded to Trump’s criticisms by stating, We stand by our journalists and the integrity and fairmindedness with which the CNN team reports the news.
The president also addressed his 2028 presidential ambitions, joking, Just like my presidency, the second time is always better. It’s always better, and the third time will be better yet. I’m only kidding,
while wearing a “Trump 2028” hat. He later claimed to be “only kidding” about running again, though his remarks about the 20 pounds heavier
bulletproof vests worn by attendees suggested a deliberate provocation. The Guardian noted that Trump’s humility would not feature strongly in his speech,
as he repeatedly returned to grievances about media coverage and political opponents.
The Venue and the Backstory
The rescheduled dinner, held at the Waldorf Astoria, was a stark contrast to the original event’s Washington Hilton venue, which had been the site of the April assassination attempt. Trump, who once operated the Waldorf Astoria as his namesake DC hotel, boasted about its construction, saying, “This has not been an easy evening. All these awards. Do I have a say? But it’s great to be back at a place that I know very well because I built it, and I’m very proud of it because I built it for $2.9bn less than the Federal Reserve Building, which is a lot smaller, by the way.”
The event’s smaller scale—700 guests compared to 2,600 at the original dinner—did little to ease the tension. Trump’s remarks were punctuated by moments of self-awareness, such as when he said, I’m only going to be using it for about six months
before leaving office. This rare acknowledgment of his term’s expiration contrasted with his usual rhetoric about remaining in power indefinitely. The Guardian noted that Trump’s humility would not feature strongly in his speech,
as he repeatedly returned to grievances about media coverage and political opponents.
Despite the chaos, the event underscored the enduring tensions between Trump and the press. The president’s ability to dominate the narrative, even in a weakened state, highlighted his influence over American political discourse. As the 2028 election cycle looms, his performance at the dinner—marked by both self-deprecation and aggression—offers a glimpse into the kind of rhetoric he may employ if he seeks a third term.
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