Donald Trump used the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday to lash out at the media he has sued and sparred with, joking about a third term and accusing many in the room of having "Trump Derangement Syndrome" – three months after a gunman's attack forced the original event to be cancelled.
The president sat as reporters from outlets including the New York Times, CNN and the Wall Street Journal came up to be honoured with awards. Typically the president takes a lighter-hearted tone, and Trump joked "the second time is always better" and praised the media – saying he respects "most of them". But the tone shifted as he aimed barbs at "fake news".
“Trump attacked media at WHCA dinner, joking about third term after April shooting cancelled first event.”
April's dinner was cut short when a gunman was tackled at the Washington Hilton. The officer shot at the scene, Victor Gonzalez of the US Secret Service, was given an award by Trump for his actions that night. "As I said three months ago, the show must go on," Trump said.
In her remarks, WHCA President Weijia Jiang of CBS News said the event would return to the Washington Hilton next year. Friday's rescheduled event was held at the Waldorf Astoria a few miles away, following criticisms that security at the Hilton was inadequate. The outgoing WHCA head said she would "refuse to let an act of violence have the final word".
Trump stood and shook hands with award winners, including a Wall Street Journal team honoured for coverage of Trump's links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Ahead of the event, many in the White House press corps had theorised that Trump would deliver a stern rebuke. His hour-long speech included pointed insults at several journalists, Democratic politicians and celebrities, but he also called on Americans to respect freedom of speech. "We settle our differences not with bullets, but with open and vigorous debate," Trump said. "And no deranged loser with a gun will ever change that. We can't let that ever happen."
Trump appeared in a good mood throughout, jokingly telling the media that "the second time is always better – and the third time will be better yet … I'm only kidding," as he revealed a Trump 2028 cap at the end of his remarks. The president's decision to attend at all, after months of attacking the press, left many wondering whether the fragile truce at the dinner table will last beyond the evening.