Trump Headlines Rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner Weeks After April Shooting

Published on 25/07/2026 – 10:39 GMT+2

US President Donald Trump made his return to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Friday evening, delivering a sprawling address that mixed lighthearted banter with pointed criticism of the attending media.

“I am delighted to be here,” Trump told the crowd. “Amazing people. Many I like. Some I don’t like at all.”

The dinner had originally been planned for April but was cut short after an individual armed with guns and knives attempted to breach security. The rescheduled event was considerably smaller and took place under significantly heightened security measures.

Over the course of an hour, Trump shifted from jovial remarks about the press—praising “most of them”—to sharp-tongued jabs at specific journalists and Democrats.

Appearing in upbeat spirits throughout the evening, the president joked about a potential third term and the supposed “Trump derangement syndrome” afflicting his listeners.

“This place is really the largest group of ‘Trump derangement syndrome’ people ever put together at one time,” he said of the audience. “Sometimes I really do think that some of you don’t like me,” he added with a grin.

The White House Correspondents’ Association organizes the annual event, a celebration of a free press that brings together journalists, politicians, and celebrities for a night of awards and speeches.

Trump vs. the media

Trump’s relationship with the US media has been fraught, marked by numerous lawsuits and frequent denunciations of coverage he labels “fake news.”

Last week, the president lashed out at several news networks after they declined to carry his prime-time address on their main platforms.

“In a rare move, NBC and ABC “fake news” outlets have both announced they would not carry the speech,” Trump said at the time.

“Fraud like this should mean a revocation of their licenses,” he added.

The president has also had public clashes with late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Kimmel.

After Kimmel was temporarily pulled from the air last year following comments he made about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Trump celebrated the decision.

Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Great News for America. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC.”

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