US President Donald Trump will deliver a speech at the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner on Friday, July 24, 2026. The event, originally interrupted by a shooting on April 25 at the Washington Hilton hotel, will now take place at the Waldorf Astoria hotel.

The April incident occurred when a man, Cole Allen, attempted to breach a security checkpoint 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 shooting, has stated that the incident highlighted the need for a $400 million ballroom to be built at the White House to improve presidential security during such events. The WHCA also announced that Washington Hilton staff who assisted guests during the incident will be recognized.

This rescheduled black-tie dinner will gather journalists, politicians, and administration officials. WHCA President Weijia Jiang emphasized that the event "will be a statement that violence has no place in American life and a free press will not be intimidated into silence."

Despite tensions with the media, Trump has provided more direct access to reporters than recent presidents, frequently taking questions during public appearances and speaking with journalists by phone.

Sources