CNN host Van Jones offered an unexpected compliment to President Donald Trump for attending the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) Dinner. Trump stayed for the awards ceremony, despite facing critical journalists. This gesture prompted Jones to say the president deserves recognition.
During the dinner event, anchor John Berman mentioned that Trump was scheduled to speak after the journalists’ awards. On the original date of April 25, this was not the plan. Berman explained, “The president was going to speak first, then the awards. So he could have left, in theory, if he wanted to.” This change meant Trump watched awards given to reporters covering him, which might not always be favorable.
In response, Jones stated, “You really do have to give President Trump credit tonight.” He acknowledged Trump’s decision to stay and face potentially difficult situations. “He’s not running away,” Jones added. “He’s going to be there. And maybe someone will have the courage to speak up [against him]. Maybe they won’t. But he’s putting himself in harm’s way in that regard.”
The dinner was postponed from April 25 after a security breach involving a gunman attempting to target the president. Following Trump’s address at the event, where he humorously targeted members of the press, Jones criticized the president’s remarks.
Jones remarked, “I think the worst thing you can say is that it just wasn’t funny at all.” He continued to say, “It was mean and small. But you can be mean and small and funny. This was mean and small and not funny.” He suggested Trump should have addressed broader political issues affecting many Americans.
Jones noted, “He didn’t talk about any American, besides himself and his enemies.” He pointed out real-life issues like gas prices and concerns for family members in the military that were left unaddressed.
In recent remarks, Jones appeared to steer away from some far-left activists within his party. He expressed frustration with Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) activists, particularly concerning their views on Hamas, prisons, and immigration.
“Supporting Hamas is not progressive. ‘No police, no prisons, no borders’ is not progressive. Celebrating the murder of Israeli civilians is not progressive. These ideas are REGRESSIVE,” Jones stated.
Jones differentiated between “progressive” ideas like universal healthcare, education, and clean air, and what he termed “regressive” positions. “They are NOT the same thing. And the difference matters,” he emphasized.
Julia Bonavita, a media and culture writer for Fox News Digital and a drone pilot, authored the report.