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World
Trump Returns to White House Correspondents' Dinner, Three Months After Shooting
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 3 min read
The essentials
Donald Trump attended the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner on Friday, July 24, 2026, in Washington under enhanced security. The original event on April 25, 2026, was interrupted by gunfire when Cole Allen, 31, attempted to enter the ballroom, forcing Trump's chaotic evacuation. Allen, charged with attempted assassination, pleaded not guilty. The dinner moved from the Washington Hilton to the Waldorf Astoria, a former Trump hotel, in a smaller, more intimate format.
- Trump attends rescheduled WHCA dinner on July 24, 2026, under enhanced security
- April 25, 2026 shooting interrupted original event, forcing Trump's evacuation
- Cole Allen, 31, charged with attempted assassination; pleaded not guilty
- Dinner now held at Waldorf Astoria in smaller, more intimate format
- First WHCA dinner Trump attended during his two presidential terms
What we know
Donald Trump attended the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner on Friday, July 24, 2026, in Washington under enhanced security, according to France 24.
The dinner no longer takes place at the Washington Hilton, the scene of April's shooting, but at the Waldorf Astoria, a former Trump hotel. Organizers announced a smaller evening that would be "more intimate."
Weijia Jiang, WHCA president, justified the rescheduling, saying she did not want to "let an act of violence have the last word."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on July 23, 2026, that Trump would "celebrate freedom of the press and the First Amendment" alongside the media.
The evening's program will retain mentalist Oz Pearlman's performance. A tribute will be paid to a Secret Service agent who helped neutralize Cole Allen, as well as to Hilton staff.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran confirmed on July 23, 2026, that his teams were ready. He defended the April security measures: "The security detail worked, the system worked," noting that a cordon had prevented the assailant from reaching the main ballroom.
Timeline
- April 25, 2026The WHCA dinner is interrupted by gunfire between federal agents and Cole Allen, 31, from California. The assailant attempts to enter the ballroom; Trump is evacuated amid chaos.
- Early June 2026Trump accepts the new dinner invitation, stating he will not "let crazy people change our way of life."
- July 23, 2026Sean Curran defends the April security measures and confirms teams are ready. Karoline Leavitt officially announces Trump's attendance at the rescheduled event.
- July 24, 2026Rescheduled dinner held at Waldorf Astoria, Washington, under enhanced security.
Context
The April 2026 dinner was the first Trump attended during his two presidential terms. The president typically refers to the media as "enemies of the people."
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