The black-tie event, which followed an earlier postponement due to a security incident involving a gunman, quickly shifted from a conciliatory gathering emphasizing a free press to an adversarial exchange.
A Conciliatory Start Gives Way to Sharp Criticism
The evening began with formal recognitions of journalistic independence and mutual respect between the administration and the press corps. Outgoing association president Weijia Jiang opened the event by condemning political violence. “An assassination attempt on our president is an attack on democracy itself,” Jiang stated, according to event transcripts. “We will not be intimidated. We refuse to let an act of violence have the final word.”
Reporters from The Wall Street Journal accepted a major prize for reporting on Trump’s past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, a series that included a 2003 “birthday book” featuring a cryptic letter bearing a signature attributed to Trump. Despite Trump having refiled a $10 billion lawsuit against the publication and Rupert Murdoch over the reporting, he applauded the team and shook their hands before taking the stage.
When Trump began his remarks, many of his pre-written jokes failed to generate laughter from the audience, prompting him to openly question his speechwriters. He criticized a joke about Senator Elizabeth Warren and a totem pole, followed by an attempted joke regarding an aging senator that drew minimal response from guests.
The speech subsequently turned toward direct personal attacks on political figures and members of the press. Trump criticized Democratic Representative Adam Schiff, using derogatory remarks about his physical appearance, and shifted his focus to CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, who was seated in the audience.
Trump criticized Collins for receiving an award for deadline reporting—which honored her coverage of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House—asserting that the work was “fake.” He also resurrected prior complaints regarding her facial expressions, telling the audience, “She’s a young, attractive woman—she never smiles. You have a nice position, you’re at CNN fake news, you should be a happy person—so smile, Kaitlan, just smile.”
Immediate Backlash From News Networks
The remarks drew swift condemnation from network colleagues and management. During CNN’s live coverage of the event, national affairs correspondent Jeff Zeleny stated, “This attack on our colleague Kaitlan Collins is as absurd as it is false.” The network subsequently issued a formal statement defending Collins.
Amid the political attacks, the speech included occasional moments of levity, such as a joke regarding Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and a cow, referencing a past incident involving Kennedy dumping a dead bear in New York’s Central Park. However, the tone shifted back toward campaign-style rhetoric as Trump donned a “Trump 2028” cap near the end of his remarks and exited the stage to the song “Y.M.C.A.”
Event Overview
| Event Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | White House Correspondents’ Association |
| Key Speakers | Weijia Jiang, President Donald Trump |
| Notable Awards | The Wall Street Journal (Epstein reporting), Kaitlan Collins (CNN deadline coverage) |
| Primary Incidents | Pre-written jokes failing to land; direct remarks targeting Kaitlan Collins and Adam Schiff; donning a “Trump 2028” cap |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the White House Correspondents’ Dinner rescheduled?
The event was postponed from its original date following a security incident involving an alleged gunman who targeted the White House and administration officials.
What awards were presented at the dinner?
Journalism awards were presented for investigative reporting and deadline coverage, including honors for journalists from The Wall Street Journal and CNN’s Kaitlan Collins.
How did media organizations respond to the speech?
Networks and journalists immediately criticized the remarks directed at reporters in the room, with CNN issuing a formal statement defending Kaitlan Collins against the president’s statements.