Three months after a shooting incident at a press gala dinner in Washington with US President Donald Trump, the rescheduled event took place under increased security precautions.
July 25, 2026, 06:30July 25, 2026, 10:09
US President Donald Trump focused primarily on media scolding in his first speech at the traditional gala dinner for the capital’s press. The Republican acknowledged the work of the press at certain points, but at the same time accused the media of spreading “fake news,” i.e. false reporting. He also said media companies benefited from him. In a hotel in Washington he said to the assembled journalists: “When I’m gone, you’ll all be broke.” The US media business model would then be over.
Trump went on to say that there would then be no one left worth reporting on. “Nobody cares about anyone else.” The press has no idea how lucky they are with him because he generates headlines, Trump argued. He added that the media was very important to him.
Trump is known for his often biting criticism of the US media. He has also repeatedly defended himself with lawsuits against reporting that was unpleasant to him. He also likes to describe the media as “enemies of the people”.
Donald Trump during his first speech at the traditional gala dinner of the capital’s press.Image: keystone
Cage fighting, nuclear weapons and fashion reviews
Trump digressed again and again in his speech. He praised himself and the work of his cabinet and jumped back and forth between topics. He spoke at length about the ballroom he was planning at the White House and was enthusiastic about the martial cage fights organized in June for his 80th birthday. In between, he said that Iran should never have a nuclear weapon.
Trump also donned a red cap that read “Trump 2028.” The Republican repeatedly flirts with the fact that he is being encouraged to run for a third term, but this is not possible under the US Constitution. He also rated the appearance of female journalists in the room.
Last time, Trump was evacuated
The gala evening under increased security precautions was a catch-up date: a quarter of a year ago, Trump was unable to give his speech at the gala due to a shooting incident. An armed man had stormed a security gate. Although he did not reach the ballroom with Trump, shots were fired. A security official was hit. Trump and other guests of honor were brought to safety by bodyguards. The dinner, which took place in another hotel in the capital, was canceled.
At that time, Trump attended the gala dinner for the first time in his capacity as US President. Previously, he had always boycotted the White House Correspondents’ Association event as president.
Once a year, the organization of journalists who report on US government policy in Washington hosts a gala dinner attended by representatives of the White House and other celebrities. The Journalists Association of Correspondents Accredited to the White House has been organizing the gala evening for more than 100 years.
Increased security measures
Increased security precautions now applied to the gala. This was noticeable in several places, such as the entrance controls, as a reporter from the German Press Agency reported from the venue. Instead of a paper ticket like last time, the journalists had to show a personalized QR code in addition to their ID. More police officers could also be seen in front of and in the hotel. In order to get into the ballroom where the dinner took place, the guests had to go through a security gate with metal detectors, like those found at the airport.
Accusation against suspect: attempted assassination of Trump
The alleged perpetrator has now been charged with, among other things, attempted assassination of the president. He is also accused of assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon. In court in May, the defendant denied guilt through his defense attorney.
At the rescheduled gala dinner in the evening, journalists and the security guard who was shot in April were honored. The outgoing chairwoman of the journalists’ association, Weijia Jiang, said his decisive actions helped prevent the attacker from advancing further. (sda/dpa)