US President Donald Trump used the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Friday to renew his attacks on what he described as the “fake news media” while joking about serving beyond the constitutional two-term limit.
According to AFP, Trump addressed journalists and public officials at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, three months after the original event was abandoned following an assassination attempt that forced his evacuation.
Opening on a conciliatory note, Trump reflected on the April attack, saying, “The show must go on.”
He soon shifted to criticising journalists, telling the audience they represented “the largest group of Trump derangement syndrome people ever put together at one time.”
The president also mocked media coverage of his administration after journalists received awards for reporting on his second presidency. Earlier in the evening, he was seen laughing and shaking hands with reporters from The Wall Street Journal, which has published stories about his links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump also revived speculation about extending his time in office, despite the US Constitution barring a third presidential term.
“Just like my presidency, the second time is always better. And the third time is better yet,” he said before adding, “I’m only kidding.”
He later escalated the joke by producing a red “Trump 2028” cap and declaring his “intention” to run for a fourth term, prompting laughter from the audience.
Much of the hour-long address echoed the style of his campaign rallies, with Trump occasionally joking about his speechwriters when some remarks failed to draw applause.
Despite his repeated criticism of the press, Trump concluded by expressing respect for the journalists present.
“I have tremendous respect” for the media, he said, before adding: “When I’m gone you’re all going to be broke.”
The dinner marked Trump’s first appearance at the White House Correspondents’ Association event after years of strained relations with the media.
Security was significantly tightened following the April shooting. Roads around the venue were closed, with police, National Guard personnel and the US Secret Service maintaining a heavy security presence.
The gala was moved from the Washington Hilton to the Waldorf Astoria, making it a smaller event. CBS correspondent Weijia Jiang, the outgoing president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, opened the evening by declaring, “We are back. We will not be intimidated. We will not let an act of violence have the final word.”
Secret Service Director Sean Curran defended the agency’s handling of the April incident, saying the security system had worked by preventing the alleged attacker from reaching the main hall.
However, Curran acknowledged that threats against senior US officials remain exceptionally high.
“The threat picture and environment is as large as I’ve ever seen it,” he said.
California resident Cole Allen, 31, has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempting to kill the president over the April attack.
