Trump Arrives at White House Correspondents' Dinner Months After Shooting

The President made his grand entrance to "Hail to the Chief" as he stepped onstage at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C.

White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang told C-SPAN the program is essentially the same as April, though the Waldorf is a smaller venue and there are “enhanced security measures.” “Honestly, the program is very much the same as April.

What we know

One activist is sporting a Trump mask, wearing a crown and holding a sign that reads "The Insane Reign of Donald the Terrible." Donald Trump has arrived for tonight's rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner ... which, so far, is much less eventful than the last one. The President made his grand entrance to "Hail to the Chief" as he stepped onstage at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C.

“One thing I can assure you, it will be entertaining.” During the April dinner at the Washington Hilton, the gunman, whom authorities have identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, attempted to sprint past magnetometers reportedly carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives in an alleged effort to reach the ballroom. Pray for POTUS' safety tonight 🙏🏻 Video — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) Jul 24, 2026 Operative Telegram Feed 🚨 AWESOME! https://x.com/EricLDaugh/status/2080792286187692328 2026-07-24T23:15:31.605Z 🚨 AWESOME!

KENNEDY JR. spotted at the White House Correspondents Dinner in DC, awaiting President Trump One of Trump's BEST picks this administration 👏🏻 Video — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) Jul 24, 2026

The details

Friday’s affair is not being held at the Hilton, where the correspondents’ dinner has taken place for over 50 years. “The Washington Hilton is a massive ballroom that holds 3000 people. The Waldorf Astoria holds 700 people… so that is the first main difference people will see.” “There are enhanced security measures.

Reactions

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump will deliver a “vicious” but “unifying” speech. “The president’s speech will be a combination of unifying yet vicious, and serious yet hilarious, all at the same time, if you can imagine that,” Leavitt told NBC News. He also allegedly attended a No King’s protest, was a shooting range regular, and was part of a group called the Wide Awakes.

What to watch

The event's kicking off with dinner ... but Trump is expected to speak later on in the evening. Jiang said that guests will have unique QR codes and photo ID to gain entry through ticketing.