Trump Wears ‘Trump 2028’ Hat at Rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner

US President Donald Trump declared “the show must go on” as he attended the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) Dinner on Friday, nearly three months after an attempted assassination and shooting forced the evacuation of the original event. Held under unprecedented security at Washington’s Waldorf Astoria, the scaled down dinner became a symbolic show of resilience for journalists and public officials amid growing tensions between the White House and the media.

Opening his speech, Trump recalled his message from April, saying, “As I said three months ago, the show must go on.” Although he had earlier suggested he might deliver “rather nasty” remarks aimed at the media, the president mixed humour with sharp criticism, joking that the ballroom contained “the largest group of Trump Derangement Syndrome people put together at one time.” He also took swipes at political rivals, administration officials and journalists, while joking about seeking a third and even a fourth presidential term. At one point, Trump donned a red “Trump 2028” cap, one of the most talked about moments of the evening.

Around 700 guests attended the dinner, far fewer than in previous years, with organisers moving the event from the Washington Hilton to the Waldorf Astoria. Guests passed through multiple identity checks, explosives detection dogs, armed officers and a single secured entrance. There was no traditional red carpet or cocktail reception, reflecting the heightened security following the April shooting.

Welcoming attendees, WHCA President Weijia Jiang quipped, “Let's try this again,” adding that the White House press corps “always has a follow up.” Striking a more serious tone, she said, “We are back. We will not be intimidated. We refuse to let an act of violence have the final word,” describing the rescheduled dinner as a celebration of a free press and the resilience of journalists.

The association presented a special award to Secret Service agent Victor Gonzales, who was struck in his protective vest while responding to the April attack, and also honoured staff members of the Washington Hilton for their actions during the emergency. Mentalist Oz Pearlman returned as the evening’s entertainer, replacing the traditional comedy performance that has often been a hallmark of the event.

The dinner unfolded against a backdrop of escalating friction between the Trump administration and major news organisations. In recent months, disputes have ranged from restrictions on members of the White House press corps to lawsuits and regulatory actions involving media outlets. A coalition of press freedom groups urged the WHCA to use the occasion to strongly defend the First Amendment, arguing it was contradictory to celebrate press freedom while the administration continued to challenge media organisations in court and through government action.

Media ethics experts also renewed criticism of the annual dinner itself, questioning whether journalists should socialise with the political figures they cover. Kelly McBride of the Poynter Institute argued that such events can undermine public confidence by creating the appearance of closeness between reporters and the officials they report on.

Several senior administration figures, including First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, did not attend the rescheduled event. Despite the political tensions surrounding the dinner, organisers insisted the gathering was intended to reaffirm the importance of a free press and ensure that the April attack would not define one of Washington’s longest running journalism traditions.