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Trump Returns to White House Correspondents' Dinner with Sharp Jabs at Press and Rivals

Published July 25, 2026 at 12:03 PM UTC

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Former President Donald Trump returned to the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, delivering a mix of jokes and pointed criticism aimed at the media and his political opponents. The appearance marked his first at the annual gala since 2018, after he skipped the event during his final years in office. Trump opened with lighthearted remarks about his own legal troubles before turning to sharper attacks on what he called 'fake news' outlets and Democratic leaders. The dinner, traditionally a night of bipartisan camaraderie, saw some journalists laughing while others sat stone-faced. The event was rescheduled from its usual April date due to scheduling conflicts, and Trump used the platform to revisit his grievances against the press. His speech included a recall of the 2011 shooting at the dinner when then-Representative Gabrielle Giffords was injured, though he used the mention to needle journalists about security. The dinner highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and the media, a relationship that has been strained since his 2016 campaign.