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Rescheduled Dinner, New Jabs
President Donald Trump returned to the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington after a gunman opened fire at the original event in April, and he told the crowd, "As I said three months ago, the show must go on."
“Washington, 24 jul (EFE)”
The rescheduled dinner was held at the Waldorf Astoria hotel with a smaller crowd of about 700 and tighter security, after Trump and attendees were evacuated from the Washington Hilton when shots were fired in the lobby.
Trump used the hour-long remarks to take swipes at journalists and political opponents, and he said, "That was going to be a doozy," describing what he had planned for April.
He also joked about term limits and the 22nd Amendment, then ended by putting on a "Trump 2028" hat and saying he would run for a fourth term as president of the United States.
Outgoing WHCA president Weijia Jiang said, "We will not be intimidated. We refuse to let an act of violence have the final word."
Collins Roast and Silence
At the dinner on Friday, July 24, Trump singled out CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins during his televised remarks before nearly 700 journalists and government officials.
Trump said, "I want to personally congratulate CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on receiving her award," and then added that it was "a fake-- she shouldn’t get the award, it was a fake."
He continued with personal jabs, telling Collins, "She never smiles," and then urging her, "Smile. You have a nice position, you’re at CNN fake news, you should be a happy person."
People’s account described the moment as met with uncomfortable silence as Trump delivered the personal attack at the event intended to celebrate the White House press corps.
In a statement after the speech, CNN Worldwide Chairman and CEO Mark Thompson said, "Honest, accurate journalism may sometimes irritate politicians, but our fight to report and present that reporting to the public without government interference is fully protected by the U.S. Constitution."
Security Tribute and Term Stakes
The rescheduled event began with a tribute to the U.S. Secret Service, law enforcement officers, and hotel staff who responded to the April 24 incident at the Washington Hilton, and WHCA president Weijia Jiang said the attacker was stopped after an officer placed himself directly in harm’s way.
“President Donald Trump utterly failed at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Friday night”
Jiang said, "Even after gunfire struck his protective vest, he stayed in the fight and the attacker was stopped," while the WHCA President’s Award for Exceptional Service was given to Secret Service Police Officer Victor Gonzales.
Trump also credited the Secret Service and protection over his family and others, saying, "In recent months, they’ve repeatedly responded to threats with speed and professionalism and extraordinary courage," and he added that Gonzales took a bullet.
As he put on the "Trump 2028" hat, Trump told the room, "I’m pleased to announce my intention to, and this is somewhat of a scoop, my intention to run for a fourth term as president of the United States," while also insisting the idea was a ruse.
The dinner’s stakes were framed as a test of whether political violence would shape public debate, with Jiang saying the event demonstrated, "We are back," and that the WHCA would not be intimidated after the gunman’s attack.
