WHCA Dinner: Trump Attends for First Time, Three Months After Shooting

Herz — World Desk · 25 July 2026 at 05:53 · 30s summary · 4 min read

What we know

On July 24, 2026, the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) held its makeup dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Washington. The WHCA is an association founded in 1914 comprising journalists accredited to the White House. Approximately 700 guests attended, according to ABC News and the South China Morning Post.

President Donald Trump spoke at the event — a first in his presidency. He had boycotted this annual gathering throughout his first term (2017–2021).

The dinner had been scheduled for April 25, 2026, at the Washington Hilton before being rescheduled following an assassination attempt. The Waldorf Astoria, a smaller venue, hosted approximately 700 guests, compared to more than 2,000 at a typical edition.

The April 25, 2026 shooting

Cole Tomas Allen (31 years old) attempted to breach a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton with a shotgun. He was subdued by Secret Service agents just meters from the ballroom where the president was present.

Charged with attempted assassination of the U.S. president, Allen pleaded not guilty in May 2026.

The July 24, 2026 dinner

Secret Service agent Victor Gonzalez — the sole person injured in the shooting, protected by his body armor — received an award presented personally by Trump.

In a speech lasting approximately one hour, Trump alternated between jokes and criticism of the media. He accused numerous journalists of "Trump Derangement Syndrome" — a pejorative term used by Trump's supporters to describe what they claim is irrational hostility toward him. He stated he respected "most" journalists while also targeting celebrities like Bruce Springsteen and Jane Fonda.

Outgoing WHCA president Weijia Jiang (CBS News) led the evening, declared "we will not be intimidated," and announced that the 2027 edition would return to the Washington Hilton.

Entertainment was provided by mentalist Oz Pearlman, replacing the traditional format featuring a comedian. He had performed at the April dinner, where he notably guessed the unborn baby's name of White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.

Journalism awards

A team from the Washington Post received the Katharine Graham Award for Courage and Accountability — a prize honoring Katharine Graham (1917–2001), former publisher of the Washington Post under whose leadership the newspaper published the Pentagon Papers. The award recognized reporting on an obscene drawing signed by Trump that appeared in a collection of birthday messages for Jeffrey Epstein.

A Wall Street Journal team also received recognition for its coverage of Trump-Epstein connections. When this award was announced, Trump — who had sued the WSJ over the reporting — laughed and shrugged.

Exceptionally heightened security

Multiple city blocks surrounding the Waldorf Astoria were closed, with substantial police presence and National Guard troops. Guests underwent two security screenings — QR codes, identification, and wristbands — and armed Secret Service agents with rifles were positioned at entrances.