Donald Trump is scheduled to speak around 9 p.m. ET on Friday at the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which was originally halted in April following a security breach at the Washington Hilton.
At the time of the incident, Trump advocated for a new dinner. WHCA President Weijia Jiang emphasized the association’s commitment to completing the event, citing support from members, board members, and “people across the political spectrum who reached out and said ‘That can’t be how your story ends this year.’”
The event will take place in a smaller ballroom at the Waldorf Astoria, a former Trump hotel, rather than the Washington Hilton. No pre-dinner receptions or red carpet events are planned, and enhanced security protocols will be implemented.
The White House Correspondents’ Association will honor Secret Service Police Officer Victor Gonzales, who was wounded while confronting the gunman, as well as the Washington Hilton staff for their efforts to donate uneaten meals to local shelters.
The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, has pleaded not guilty to charges including the attempted assassination of the president.
Awards and scholarships will be presented as originally planned, with remarks from both Jiang and Trump, plus entertainment by mentalist Oz Pearlman. The evening will also emphasize press freedom, particularly in light of the Wall Street Journal’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s letters, including one bearing Trump’s disputed signature, and recent DOJ actions requiring journalists to justify subpoenas.
At a recent diplomatic event, Jiang criticized the Justice Department’s withdrawal of subpoenas against The New York Times reporters, stating, “Reporters should not have to look over our shoulders, just for doing their jobs, just for doing the very hard work to inform the public.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described Trump’s anticipated speech as “a combination of unifying yet vicious, and serious yet hilarious, all at the same time,” adding, “it will be entertaining.”
On President Trump’s remarks tonight at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner:
“The President’s speech will be a combination of unifying yet vicious, and serious yet hilarious, all at the same time, if you can imagine that. One thing I can assure you, it will be entertaining.”…
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) July 24, 2026
C-SPAN will provide live coverage of arrivals and the dinner at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT.
