The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, originally set for April 2026, was postponed nearly three months after a gunman attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump at the Washington Hilton, the original venue for the event [1, 2, 3, 4]. The alleged attacker, 31-year-old Cole Allen, pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted assassination of the president [2, 3, 4].

The dinner was held on July 24, 2026, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, DC, with President Trump in attendance [1, 2, 3, 4]. Security was significantly increased to prevent any further threats. Measures included road closures, security cordons, ID and QR code checks, and the presence of the National Guard and Secret Service Director Sean Curran [2, 3, 4].

Trump, who boycotted the dinner for four years during his first term due to a historically antagonistic relationship with the event, delivered a speech combining humor and pointed criticism of the media and Democrats [1, 2, 4]. He joked about running for a fourth term despite constitutional limits, saying, "I’m pleased to announce my intention to – and this is a somewhat of a scoop – my intention to run for a fourth term as president of the United States" [5, 6, 7]. He also mocked attendees as "the largest group of Trump derangement syndrome people ever put together at one time" and warned, "When I’m gone you’re all going to be broke" [6].

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump’s remarks would be "unifying yet vicious, serious yet hilarious" and emphasized the evening's celebration of 250 years of American greatness and a free press [2, 3, 4]. Leavitt recalled, "In April, President Trump promised to finish the job and plan another WHCA Dinner, and on Friday, he will deliver on that promise" [4].

The White House Correspondents’ Association honored Secret Service Officer Victor Gonzales, who was wounded while stopping the attacker at the Washington Hilton, during the dinner [3, 4]. WHCA President Weijia Jiang stressed the importance of holding the event, saying, "We will not allow an act of violence to have the last word" and praised Officer Gonzales's courage in running toward danger so others could make it home safely [1, 2, 4].

The successful rescheduling and heavy security reflected the event's shift after the April attack, as organizers and the White House moved to ensure safety while maintaining the tradition. The White House Correspondents' Dinner remains a key annual event connecting the presidency and the press.