During a lengthy speech at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, former President Donald Trump expressed his ‘tremendous respect’ for journalists present, despite previous accusations of unfair treatment. ‘Sometimes I don’t feel you treat me fair. Maybe you do. I don’t know,’ Trump remarked, acknowledging his complicated relationship with the media.
Trump humorously suggested that the media would encounter financial difficulties once he leaves office. He quipped, ‘Your business model is going to be finished.’ To illustrate his point, he put on a ‘Trump 2028’ hat and joked about running for a fourth term, a clear nod to the idea of extended presidential terms, which drew little laughter from the audience.
The dinner was marked by various awards and recognitions, including the Wall Street Journal receiving an award for its investigative report on a letter involving Jeffrey Epstein, signed by Trump. Journalist Tyler Pager from The New York Times also earned recognition, despite facing Justice Department subpoenas linked to his reporting.
Trump’s address featured a reflection on the tense media environment and his previous absence from such events due to perceived unfairness. He voiced his disdain for certain journalists and public figures, taking jabs at CNN’s Kaitlan Collins and others, reinforcing his contentious relationship with some of the press.
Throughout the evening, award recipients were celebrated and a video compilation highlighted Trump’s interactions with the media. The event also served as a somber reminder of recent political violence, most notably the shooting incident that interrupted the initial dinner in April.
Security was noticeably heightened, with streets around the hotel closed to traffic and heavy law enforcement presence, reflecting the ongoing security challenges in political contexts.