President Donald Trump delivered a rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech on July 24, 2026, after an assassination attempt disrupted the original event in April. The address, marked by sharp insults, fat jokes, and a red “Trump 2028” hat, drew mostly stunned silence and widespread criticism, with media outlets describing it as a “disaster” and a “snoozefest.”
President Donald Trump’s rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech on July 24, 2026, became a cautionary tale of political theater gone awry. The event, held at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C., followed an April 26 cancellation after a gunman attempted to rush the Washington Hilton hotel. Trump, who had initially prepared a combative speech, reportedly softened his tone after the attack, though his remarks still drew sharp criticism for their tone-deaf humor and personal jabs.
A Speech Rewritten After Violence
Trump’s address, which lasted 64 minutes, began with a cryptic acknowledgment of the April assassination attempt. The speech that I had ready just a short while. Oh, that was going to be a doozy. I was so psyched. I was going to rip people. And I don’t know, just something changed it — really for the better. But I just wouldn’t want to do that,
he said, according to Fox News. The president later claimed he had changed his remarks for the second time around,
a reference to the original event that was disrupted by Cole Allen’s attempted assassination.
The president’s shift in tone, however, did not prevent the speech from drawing sharp criticism. CNN reported that Trump “bombed” the event, with his jokes falling flat and his energy described as “boring.” The outlet noted that Trump’s remarks included a strange number of fat jokes that weren’t funny at all,
including a dig at Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker: You can’t have somebody like a J.B. Pritzker who I understand is not president, sadly. But, you know, some people say never used a fat word. And I know I would never call anybody fat.
Insults, Fat Jokes, and a Red Hat
Trump’s speech featured a mix of traditional targets and unexpected jabs. He mocked California Governor Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and even his own cabinet members. I hope that everyone finally got to enjoy their entire very delicious beef tenderloins, very special beef. And I want you all to know that Bobby Kennedy, who’s right here personally, ran over the cow and his car,
he quipped, according to Fox News. The president also targeted Senator Chuck Schumer’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war, joking, I’m going to send him a beautiful Palestinian outfit tomorrow so he can greet Bibi Netanyahu when he comes to town next week.
The speech’s most controversial moment came when Trump donned a red “Trump 2028” hat, a deliberate provocation given his constitutional ineligibility for a third term. Just like my presidency, the second time is always better. It’s always better, and the third time will be better yet. I’m only kidding,
he said, according to Fox News. The gesture drew immediate backlash, with CNN noting that the choice of attire seemed like a deliberate troll
of legal and political norms.
Media Reactions and Corporate Backing
The media’s response to Trump’s speech was largely scathing. CNN described the event as a “disaster,” with the president’s rambling hour-long speech
failing to resonate with the audience. The outlet highlighted Trump’s complaints about his writers, including his frustration: Does anyone understand this stuff?
— a line that underscored his perceived disconnect from the press. Meanwhile, The Washington Post noted that Trump compared a female reporter to a transgender social media star,
a remark that drew immediate condemnation.
Despite the backlash, Trump maintained support from certain media executives. The president praised Larry and David Ellison, who had recently taken control of Paramount, and hinted at their potential influence over CBS News. “Under my administration, a once-feared and powerful regime that relentlessly attacked America has finally been toppled. Their former leaders have been removed, and they’re now being run by a gay dictator facing internal divisions. But I, for one, wish Bari Weiss all the best at CBS News. She’s a wonderful woman,” he said, according to CNN. The remark, which referenced the controversial editorial changes at CBS News, drew mixed reactions from attendees.
CNN CEO Mark Thompson responded to Trump’s remarks in a statement, emphasizing the network’s commitment to honest, accurate journalism.
The statement came as Paramount, which owns CBS News, faced legal challenges over its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. Trump’s comments about the merger, which he described as a major setback,
underscored the complex interplay between politics and media ownership.
The Shadow of the Assassination Attempt
The context of the April 26 assassination attempt loomed over the event. Cole Allen, the suspect in the case, was indicted on four charges related to the alleged attack. According to Fox News, Allen had sent a manifesto to family and friends before the incident, detailing political motivations and apologizing for his actions. Trump, in his speech, acknowledged the threat but framed it as a testament to his resilience: In this country, we believe in freedom of speech. We settle our differences not with bullets, but with open and vigorous debate. And no deranged loser with a gun will ever change that.
The president also made a veiled reference to the Secret Service, joking about attendees wearing bulletproof vests: which many people didn’t want to wear because they’d rather die than look 20 pounds heavier.
The remark, while light-hearted, underscored the tension between political rhetoric and the realities of security in a polarized climate.
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