The rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner saw Donald Trump deliver a speech that was far from the traditional self-deprecating humor expected at the event. Instead, the president used the platform to attack journalists and political rivals, turning what is typically a night of bipartisan laughter into a deeply partisan event.
The evening began with a series of awards honoring journalists for their coverage of the Trump administration. Trump initially congratulated the winners, but later singled out two reporters for criticism: Kaitlan Collins of CNN and Josh Dawsey of the Wall Street Journal. Collins was criticized for her coverage of Trump’s confrontation with Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while Dawsey was accused of writing too many negative stories about the president.
Trump’s Attacks on Journalists
Trump’s remarks took a turn when he began to criticize Collins and Dawsey. He claimed that Collins’ coverage of his confrontation with Zelenskyy was ‘fake’ and told her to ‘smile’ more. Dawsey, on the other hand, was accused of being ‘almost unhireable’ despite his successful career at the Wall Street Journal.
The president’s attacks on the press were not limited to these two journalists. He also mocked other media figures, including Don Lemon, Rosie O’Donnell, and Bruce Springsteen. His remarks were met with silence from the room, which was notably not filled with his usual supporters.
Trump’s Political Jabs
Trump’s speech also included a series of jabs at his political rivals. He mocked Chris Christie and Jerry Nadler for being overweight and targeted Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Adam Schiff for their political stances. His remarks were deeply partisan and would likely have been well-received at a Republican event, but they fell flat in the room filled with nonpartisan reporters.
The president also used the opportunity to promote his new White House ballroom, which he claimed would have prevented the attack on the previous dinner. He boasted about the ballroom’s features, including its bulletproof glass and drone port.
Trump’s Conciliatory Remarks on Obama
In an unusual moment of conciliation, Trump praised his predecessor, Barack Obama, for the roast he delivered at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Trump claimed that he enjoyed the roast and that it had nothing to do with his decision to run for president five years later.
The evening also saw the Democratic National Committee vote to select South Carolina to lead the party’s 2028 presidential primary calendar. Additionally, a federal appeals court declined to halt a judge’s order blocking the Trump administration from imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers.
Across town, the American Civil Liberties Union held its own awards ceremony, honoring Bruce Springsteen and Colin Kaepernick for their contributions to American thought and culture. The ceremony was a stark contrast to the deeply partisan event at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
