President Donald Trump attended his first White House Correspondents' Association dinner as commander-in-chief on Saturday night, ending a five-year boycott of the annual event that celebrates press freedom and Washington journalism. The black-tie gala at the Washington Hilton featured mentalist Oz Pearlman as host instead of the traditional comedian format.
Trump's appearance marks a significant shift from his previous stance on the century-old tradition. He had declined five previous invitations across his first and second terms, making him the only president in the event's history not to attend at least once while in office. A White House official told The Independent that Trump "wants to be funny" and "he's going to be funny."
A dinner without comedy
The White House Correspondents' Association made the unusual decision to forgo hiring a comedian this year, instead booking mentalist Oz Pearlman to host the proceedings. This departure from decades of tradition, where comedians typically delivered pointed jokes about the president and administration, reflects the charged atmosphere surrounding Trump's relationship with the press.
"We look forward to an exciting, fresh, and interactive evening as we celebrate the First Amendment and Washington news coverage together."
Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents' Association, said in defending the choice of Pearlman.
The decision drew criticism from late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted an "alternate" gala on his Thursday show, delivering the traditional presidential roast that was absent from Saturday's official event.
Protests and political tensions
Outside the Washington Hilton, protesters gathered with signs denouncing U.S. actions in the Middle East. Demonstrators carried messages reading "No war for Israel" and "Media lies, Gaza dies." One protester wore a mask of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leading another masked as Trump on a leash, while another appeared as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a mock prison uniform labeled "Secretary of war crimes."
The dinner occurs against the backdrop of ongoing conflict with Iran, which has contributed to higher gas prices globally and stock market volatility. NBC News reported that Trump's approval rating hit a new low of 37% in a recent poll, with 63% disapproving of his job performance.
- 68% disapprove of Trump's handling of inflation and cost of living
- 67% disapprove of his handling of the Iran war
- Trump has limited access for traditional media while boosting conservative outlets
Legal battles with news organizations
Trump's attendance comes as his administration wages multiple legal battles against news organizations. FBI Director Kash Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over allegations of excessive drinking and erratic job performance, which he strongly denies.
The White House barred The Associated Press from major presidential events after the news agency refused to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in its coverage. Trump also filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times over its 2024 campaign coverage, which a federal judge initially dismissed before Trump refiled.
In a particularly awkward twist, Wall Street Journal reporters are set to receive an award Saturday night for their reporting on Trump's alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein, including a story about a birthday card Trump allegedly sent to the late sex offender. Trump sued the Journal over this coverage days after publication.
Historical context and Obama's 2011 roast
Trump previously attended the correspondents' dinner as a private citizen in 2011, when he was promoting "birtherism" conspiracy theories about Barack Obama's citizenship. Obama used his speaking slot that night to mock Trump's political ambitions and reality TV career, with comedian Seth Meyers also targeting Trump's presidential aspirations.
Several Trump confidants later credited that evening as a major motivator for his 2016 presidential bid. Trump sat stone-faced through the jokes, which included Obama's quip about Trump's decision to "fire" Gary Busey on The Apprentice: "These are the kind of decisions that would keep me up at night. Well played, sir."
How the outlets are framing it
The Independent focused on Trump's intention to "be funny" and the presence of administration officials at the event.
Rolling Stone emphasized the streaming options for viewers and Trump's history of attacking comedians and TV hosts.
Al Jazeera highlighted the criticism from journalism organizations calling for a "forthright message" about press freedom.
NBC News led with Trump's record-low approval ratings and the legal battles between his administration and news organizations.
Trump announced in March that he would accept the invitation "in honor of our Nation's 250th Birthday." The dinner, which began in 1921, continues despite ongoing debates about whether journalists should socialize with the officials they cover. The New York Times stopped attending more than a decade ago for precisely this reason.
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