Trump returns to correspondents' dinner 3 months after shooting

President Donald Trump returned to the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Friday night. The event was held at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, three months after a shooting incident forced the postponement of the original April gathering. The president spoke for over an hour, alternating between praise for members of the press and pointed insults directed at political opponents and various public figures.

The atmosphere inside the ballroom was marked by heightened security measures. Attendees passed through multiple ID checks and screening procedures overseen by security personnel and armed guards. This was a significant shift from the standard format of previous dinners, with a smaller guest list of 700 people and a more restricted arrival process. Despite the tension, the event proceeded with scheduled awards presentations.

During his address, Trump referenced the earlier security incident while also engaging in his characteristic style of humor. He mocked the weight and intellect of several public figures and made jokes about the prospect of a third presidential term, which is prohibited under the U.S. Constitution. He eventually donned a red hat labeled 2028 to cap off his remarks, signaling his future political intentions to the media in attendance.

Outgoing WHCA president Weijia Jiang addressed the room before the president spoke, emphasizing the importance of the event as a celebration of a free press. Awards were given to individuals who displayed bravery during the April shooting, including a Secret Service agent and the staff of the Washington Hilton. While some critics argued the dinner should not have been rescheduled due to the current friction between the administration and the media, the organization moved forward to signal that the work of the press continues.