A rambling, hour-long performance by President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on July 24 ended with the 80-year-old commander-in-chief donning a red “Trump 2028” cap and floating the idea of another White House bid—apparently his fourth campaign—in defiance of constitutional term limits.
The Waldorf Astoria in Washington—previously Trump’s own branded property in the capital—hosted the July 24, 2026, gathering, which had been moved from its original April slot after a gunman attacked that event. What aides promised would be “unifying yet vicious” comedy instead brought scattered jeers, long stretches of silence, and a wave of online criticism from commentators on all sides.
Backlash Across the Political Spectrum
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s official X account fired back immediately, calling the president a pig while sharing footage of his attack on CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins. CNN political commentator and former Obama adviser Van Jones offered one of the night’s most scathing takeaways, saying the president had wasted an opportunity. “It just wasn’t funny,” Jones said, characterizing Trump as a “rabid grizzly” lashing out at everything around him who never mentioned a single American apart from himself and his adversaries.
Washington Post writer Maura Judkis labeled the affair crass, surreal and deeply cringeworthy, observing that the only consistent laughter appeared to come from a section filled entirely with administration officials. Social media users compared the remarks to internet troll comments, while another simply expressed disbelief that anyone felt proud of what unfolded.
Insults, Awards and a Fourth Campaign
Trump singled out Collins by name, declaring her award fake and undeserved. Boos erupted as he launched the insult before the room went quiet. Newsom also drew fire, alongside other Democratic figures.
The spectacle carried a sharp irony: Trump shook hands with reporters he has battled and taken to court, handing out honors to journalists from organizations he regularly denounces. A Wall Street Journal team received recognition for coverage of the president’s connections to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Trump told the crowd he respected “most of them,” then accused many attendees of Trump Derangement Syndrome, branding the dinner the largest assembly of such individuals ever counted.
His closing act drew the most notice. After placing the “Trump 2028” hat on his head, he teased what he called a scoop—his plan to launch a fourth run, evidently referring to another bid for the presidency rather than a fourth consecutive period of service. He had joked earlier that his presidency, like the dinner itself, was better the second time, suggesting a third would be better still before claiming he was kidding. The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951 following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four consecutive terms, restricts presidents to two.
A Speech That Fell Flat
When Trump wrapped up, applause from the formally dressed crowd was faint. CBS News correspondent and outgoing White House Correspondents’ Association president Weijia Jiang took the stage as his exit music began, looking taken aback. Asked beforehand how long the president might talk, she recalled telling people they ought to already have the answer. “You’re White House Correspondents, you should know,” Jiang said, before expressing thanks.
Trump appeared to notice the icy reception. At one moment he questioned whether anyone grasped his material, complaining that his unnamed writers had given him weak lines. He boasted that he was single-handedly sustaining the news industry, cautioning journalists that once he departs office they would all face bankruptcy because, he argued, nobody cares about anybody else. He then counted the number of Times articles on page one that focused on him.
His address cycled through well-worn talking points: the 2020 election, his animosity toward the press, his proposed White House ballroom, his habit of attaching his own name to buildings and projects, and questions surrounding Biden’s cognitive abilities. Attendees remained mostly silent as he delivered material more fitting for a campaign rally than a celebration of the First Amendment.
The night included moments of contrast. Trump praised the Secret Service and condemned political violence, urging the audience that Americans resolve their disputes through debate, not bullets. He presented a commendation to Secret Service officer Victor Gonzales, who took a bullet to his vest during April’s chaotic incident.
Jiang, who told attendees she refused to let violence have the final word, announced next year’s dinner will be held once again at the Washington Hilton, where the shooting occurred.
