Trump Jokes About Third Term at White House Correspondents’ Dinner/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/President Donald Trump returned to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with an hourlong speech mixing praise for the press with insults aimed at journalists, politicians and entertainers. The rescheduled event came three months after a gunman disrupted the original dinner, prompting tighter security and awards recognizing those who responded. Trump joked about seeking a constitutionally barred third term, criticized journalism awards and promised to attend the dinner again next year.
Quick Look
- Trump delivered a speech lasting just over an hour.
- He said he removed the harshest material prepared for the original April dinner.
- His targets included journalists, politicians, entertainers and his own speechwriters.
- Trump joked about a third presidential term and wore a “Trump 2028” cap.
- About 700 guests attended the smaller rescheduled event.
- Security included a single entrance and two identification checks.
- Secret Service agent Victor Gonzales received an award for confronting the April gunman.
- Washington Hilton employees were honored for their response to the attack.
- Journalists received awards for reporting scrutinizing Trump and his administration.
- The event occurred amid heightened tensions between Trump and the media.
Deep Look
Trump Returns to Rescheduled Media Dinner
President Donald Trump returned to the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner Friday, delivering an hourlong speech that shifted between praise for journalism, criticism of the media and personal insults directed at an array of public figures.
The appearance followed the postponement of the original April dinner after a gunman attempted to breach the event and raised fears of a possible mass-casualty attack.
Trump told guests that he had abandoned the most aggressive portions of the speech prepared for the original gathering.
“That was going to be a doozy,” Trump said.
“As I said three months ago, the show must go on,” he added while praising the decision to reschedule the dinner.
Trump referred to “the attempted mass murder” that could have occurred in April before turning to humor and increasingly pointed attacks.
Return Marks Shift in Trump’s Media Relationship
Trump’s attendance—and his promise to return the following year—represented a notable change after his prolonged boycott of the annual fundraiser.
Since beginning his second term in 2025, Trump has sued media organizations, criticized individual reporters and used administrative measures against news outlets and members of the White House press corps.
Some journalists attending Friday’s dinner had previously been denounced by Trump or excluded from presidential events.
The president received polite applause when he entered and was thanked for his support by outgoing WHCA President Weijia Jiang of CBS News.
Speech Targets Journalists and Political Rivals
Trump’s remarks lasted slightly more than an hour and included personal attacks against politicians, journalists and entertainers.
Trump also criticized CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins, one of the evening’s prominent award recipients, and again accused her of not smiling enough.
The audience initially responded with friendly laughter, but the reaction became more subdued as the speech continued.
Trump even criticized those who prepared his material after one line failed to produce the expected response.
“That was actually the only thing I thought was good in this whole fricking stupid speech they wrote,” he said.
Trump Questions His Role as Comedian
At several points, Trump appeared to question whether the formal dinner was the appropriate setting for his performance.
“Is this supposed to be fun?” he asked. “Am I supposed to be a comedian?”
He appeared more comfortable discussing the Waldorf Astoria’s ballroom and chandeliers. The building previously operated as the Trump International Hotel and served as a gathering place for Trump allies during his first administration.
“It’s great to be back at a place that I know very well, because I built it,” Trump said.
Journalism Awards Draw Trump’s Attention
Several awards recognized reporting that scrutinized Trump or his administration. Among them was an honor for The Wall Street Journal’s coverage of his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“Do I have a say in those awards?” Trump asked.
Another recipient was New York Times reporter Tyler Pager, one of the journalists subpoenaed by Trump’s Justice Department over reporting about the Qatari-gifted aircraft intended for use as Air Force One.
The government withdrew those subpoenas Thursday in a New York courtroom.
Trump Jokes About a Third Term
Trump also used the speech to joke about seeking another presidential term, even though the Constitution’s 22nd Amendment bars a person from being elected president more than twice.
“Just like my presidency, the second time is always better,” Trump said. “And the third time will be better yet.”
“I’m only kidding,” he subsequently added.
At the end of the evening, Trump put on a red “Trump 2028” cap and jokingly offered the “scoop” that he intended to run again.
He also briefly mentioned the Iran war and discussed the ballroom being constructed at the White House.
Smaller Event Features Much Tighter Security
The rescheduled dinner was significantly different from the April event.
Approximately 700 people attended the smaller gathering. Guests entered through a single access point and underwent two identification checks.
There was no red carpet, and organizers eliminated the separate cocktail receptions traditionally held before dinner.
The dress code was changed to “black tie optional.” The menu included grilled peach and burrata salad, lobster and roasted beet Wellington.
Mentalist Oz Pearlman, who had been scheduled to perform in April, finally presented his act.
WHCA Declares: “We Are Back”
“Let’s try this again,” Jiang said as she welcomed the audience, noting that members of the White House press corps “always have a follow-up.”
She then addressed the fear and confusion surrounding the original gathering, when journalists and other guests sought cover during the security emergency.
“Tonight our message is this: We are back,” Jiang said. “We will not be intimidated. We refuse to let an act of violence have the final word.”
Organizers said they did not want images of colleagues hiding beneath tables to become the lasting memory of the annual event.
Jiang previously described the dinner as “A celebration of a free press and the vital role of journalism in our democracy for over a century.”
Secret Service Agent Honored for Bravery
The association presented an award to Secret Service agent Victor Gonzales, who was working at a security checkpoint when the April gunman attempted to enter.
Gonzales was struck in his protective vest during the confrontation.
He “placed himself directly in harm’s way and engaged the armed suspect,” Jiang said. “He stayed in the fight and the attacker was stopped.”
Employees of the Washington Hilton, where the original dinner was scheduled, received a separate award recognizing their professionalism during the emergency.
Critics Continue to Question the Dinner
The decision to reschedule the event remained controversial.
Some media critics argue that the annual gathering creates an appearance of excessive closeness between journalists and the government officials they cover.
“It undermines the public faith in how the press does its work, and it makes it look like we are pals with the people we cover,” said Kelly McBride, an ethics expert at the Poynter Institute.
That criticism carries additional weight during a period of escalating conflict between Trump and the media.
The administration has imposed restrictions on some White House journalists, pursued regulatory actions through the Federal Communications Commission and filed lawsuits against media companies.
Trump Ends With Limited Praise for Press
Despite spending much of his speech criticizing journalists, Trump concluded by offering qualified praise for their work.
“I have a lot of respect for your profession,” he told the audience.
He also suggested that media companies depend heavily on coverage of him for their financial success.
“When I’m not around, you’re all gonna be broke,” Trump said.
He offered a final assessment of the evening: “It’s far worse than I originally thought.”
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