US President Donald Trump is set to speak at the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner on Friday, July 24, 2026, nearly three months after a shooting incident cut the original event short. The black-tie gathering, which includes journalists, politicians, and administration officials, was initially held at the Washington Hilton hotel but was called off on April 25 after a man, Cole Allen, attempted to force his way through security and fired a shotgun outside the ballroom where Trump and his cabinet were seated.

Allen pleaded not guilty in May to charges including attempting to assassinate the president. Trump, who was wearing a protective vest and was the only person injured during the incident, has since advocated for a $400 million ballroom to be built at the White House to enhance presidential security during such events.

The rescheduled dinner will take place at the Waldorf Astoria hotel under heightened security measures. The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) announced that Washington Hilton staff who assisted guests during the April incident will be recognized. WHCA President Weijia Jiang stated the event "will be a statement that violence has no place in American life and a free press will not be intimidated into silence."

This incident marked Trump's first presidential appearance at the correspondents' dinner. Despite escalating tensions with the media, Trump has provided reporters with more direct access than recent presidents, including taking questions during open-ended public appearances and speaking regularly with journalists by phone.

Sources