President Donald Trump returned to the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on July 24, 2026, for a rescheduled event three months after a shooting interrupted the original gathering, delivering a rambling, hour-long speech that included jokes, insults, and a veiled reference to a third presidential term.
Trump’s Speech: Jokes, Insults, and a Third Term Jab
Trump’s remarks, which lasted just over an hour, featured a mix of humor, barbed commentary, and self-praise. He began by referencing the April shooting, stating, That was going to be a doozy,
a nod to the sharp criticism he had planned for the media before the incident. As I said three months ago, the show must go on,
he said, signaling his commitment to the event despite the trauma. However, his speech quickly veered into contentious territory, with targeted jabs at journalists, political opponents, and even his own speechwriters.
Trump’s performance drew mixed reactions. While some in the audience laughed at his jokes, others grew quiet as the insults mounted. The speech also included a mention of journalism awards that had been handed out earlier in the evening. Do I have a say in those awards?
he asked.
Security Overhauls and Honors for Heroic Staff
Security at the rescheduled dinner was significantly tightened compared to the April event. The venue, a smaller 700-person capacity space, replaced the original 2,000-person event at the Washington Hilton. This shift followed the April 25 incident, when a 31-year-old suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, was charged with attempting to assassinate the president. Allen was tackled by agents just short of a staircase which leads down to a ballroom where the dinner was getting underway.
The White House Correspondents’ Association also honored individuals who played critical roles in the April incident. Secret Service Police Officer Victor Gonzales, who was struck in his protective vest while confronting the gunman, received an award. The Washington Hilton staff, who helped manage the aftermath of the canceled event, were also recognized. Officer Gonzales played a significant role when he ran toward danger so that thousands of others could make it home safely,
said WHCA President Weijia Jiang of CBS News, who also emphasized the event’s message of resilience: Tonight our message is this: We are back.
Media Reactions and Political Tensions
The media’s response to Trump’s speech was varied, with some noting his jokes fell flat.
The event also underscored the fraught relationship between Trump and the press.
Trump’s return to the dinner marked a moment in his relationship with the news media, though his speech suggested little change in his combative style. The event, which included awards honoring groundbreaking reporting, a salute to scholarship winners, remarks by Trump, and entertainment by mentalist Oz Pearlman, ended with Trump donning a red “Trump 2028” hat and delivering the “scoop” that he was running again, before saying that he was only kidding.
The rescheduled dinner, while smaller in scale, reinforced the events surrounding the White House Correspondents’ Association. For Trump, it was another appearance at the dinner following his return.
