Four months after a gunman cut short the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, Donald Trump took the stage at a rescheduled event and delivered a speech that mixed praise with pointed insults, accusing many in the room of suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome”.
The dinner, originally cancelled in April after an attempted attack that left a Secret Service officer injured, finally went ahead on Saturday at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington. In his hour-long remarks, Trump praised the media — saying he respects “most of them” — but quickly pivoted to attack “fake news” and singled out journalists from outlets he has sparred with, including the New York Times, CNN and the Wall Street Journal.
“Trump mocks media with 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' and jokes about third term at rescheduled WHCA dinner after April shooting.”
“As I said three months ago, the show must go on,” Trump told the room. “Just like my presidency, the second time is always better – and the third time will be better yet … I’m only kidding,” he joked, referring to a possible third term.
The president awarded a commendation to US Secret Service officer Victor Gonzalez, who was shot while tackling the gunman in April. WHCA president Weijia Jiang of CBS News said the association would “refuse to let an act of violence have the final word” and announced next year’s dinner will return to the Washington Hilton, the scene of the shooting.
Trump struck a more serious note, calling on Americans to respect freedom of speech. “We settle our differences not with bullets, but with open and vigorous debate,” he said. “And no deranged loser with a gun will ever change that. We can’t let that ever happen.”
But the conciliatory tone did not last. Trump took aim at Democratic politicians, celebrities and several journalists in the room, accusing many of having “Trump Derangement Syndrome”. Despite the barbs, he appeared in good spirits, standing and shaking hands with award winners, including a Wall Street Journal team recognised for coverage of Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
The event, originally meant to celebrate press freedom, served as a reminder of the deep divisions between the president and the media he has repeatedly attacked — and sued.