Trump to attend rescheduled White House dinner on July 24

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has confirmed he will attend the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner on July 24, announcing the decision in a Truth Social post.

The annual black-tie event in Washington was originally postponed after a security incident on April 25, when a suspect opened fire with a shotgun outside the venue after breaching a checkpoint. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were safely evacuated at the time.

In a letter to WHCA members, president and CBS News correspondent Weijia Jiang said the decision to reschedule was not automatic and would include “significantly enhanced safety measures and new access procedures.” She also said the updated gathering would be a “more intimate” event, with fundraising support ensuring ticket holders are not financially burdened.

Trump said Jiang had personally invited him to attend and speak, and he accepted. He also remarked that he was unsure whether he would deliver the same “nasty” remarks he is known for at such events, adding that the audience would soon find out.

The dinner will now be held at the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, a venue formerly owned and developed by the Trump Organization.

The WHCA dinner is a long-standing Washington tradition that raises funds for journalism scholarships and celebrates First Amendment freedoms. White House Correspondents’ Association has hosted the event for over a century, often featuring presidents delivering comedic or critical remarks about the press.

Trump’s relationship with the event has historically been tense, given his repeated criticism of the media. Former President Barack Obama notably roasted Trump at the 2011 WHCA dinner, when Trump attended as a businessman and television personality.