President Donald Trump has announced he will attend the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner on July 24 at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C. The event was originally held on April 25 but was abruptly cut short after a gunman stormed a security checkpoint outside the Washington Hilton hotel. One Secret Service agent was injured, and the suspect, later identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen, was subdued by authorities. Allen has pleaded not guilty to four federal charges, including attempted assassination of the president.
The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) confirmed the rescheduling, stating the new event will feature enhanced security measures and new access procedures. WHCA President Weijia Jiang emphasized the decision was made after input from members and that the association would cover costs for attendees who purchased tickets for the April event. The WHCA also pledged financial support for scholarship winners traveling to the rescheduled dinner.
Trump, who had previously boycotted the event during his first term, called the rescheduling a 'sign of strength and fortitude' and noted the venue change to the Waldorf Astoria, a property previously operated by the Trump Organization. He hinted at delivering a speech but did not confirm whether it would include the 'nasty statements' he had planned for the April event.
The April incident sparked debate over security arrangements and the safety of high-profile gatherings. The WHCA described the rescheduled dinner as a 'more intimate gathering' and a statement against violence, particularly during the year marking America's 250th anniversary. The association also praised the swift response of the Secret Service and law enforcement in protecting attendees.
The original event was attended by Trump, Vice President JD Vance, members of Congress, and hundreds of journalists. The shooting prompted an immediate evacuation of the ballroom, with guests scrambling for cover. The WHCA has since raised funds to ensure the rescheduled event remains accessible to all original ticket holders.
Trump's attendance marks his first participation in the dinner as president, following years of criticism toward the WHCA and the media. The event traditionally serves as a platform for satire and jokes targeting the president, though the tone of Trump's remarks remains uncertain.