Trump to Attend White House Correspondents’ Dinner

, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump. This marks his first attendance at the annual event as president, after declining invitations during his first term and in 2025. The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) extends an invitation to the sitting president each year, a tradition dating back to Calvin Coolidge in 1924.

” The WHCA did not make such statements.

The dinner, held at the Washington Hilton Hotel, typically includes journalists, administration officials, and guests. This year’s entertainer is mentalist Oz Pearlman, announced by the WHCA in late February. Pearlman’s act is apolitical, differing from past comedy roasts.

WHCA president Weijia Jiang of CBS News declined to comment on the selection. The administration also defunded NPR and PBS, altered Voice of America operations, and removed mainstream journalists from the Pentagon. Shortly after taking office in 2025, the administration assumed control of the White House press pool, previously managed by the WHCA.

The association objected, but the White House proceeded. A letter signed by more than 250 journalists urged the WHCA to issue a forceful defense of press freedom from the podium and condemn threats to it, followed by a standing toast to the First Amendment.

In 2020, discussions occurred about his potential attendance, but the event was canceled due to the pandemic. ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, then WHCA president, recounted a meeting where Trump inquired about being funny and suggested replacing comedian Hasan Minhaj, which Karl declined.

As a guest in 2011, Trump attended while President Obama and comedian Seth Meyers directed jokes at him. In 2018, Michelle Wolf’s routine prompted some walkouts. The WHCA hired historian Ron Chernow in 2019 to avoid controversy. Former WHCA president George Condon stated that in his second term, Trump aims to “own” organizations that opposed or embarrassed him previously.

The event has featured self-deprecating humor from past presidents. In 2006, President George W. Bush appeared with comedian Steve Bridges, who impersonated him. Bridges joked about Bush’s thoughts on the media and low approval ratings, while Bush responded positively.

Bush also quipped about Vice President Dick Cheney’s heart condition. The audience responded with laughter and applause. President Calvin Coolidge noted the advantage of a president knowing he is not a great man. A former WHCA board member, speaking anonymously, suggested Trump recognizes limited opportunities to participate in such presidential events.

“Here I am at another one of these press dinners. I could be home asleep with little Barney at my feet, but no, I have to pretend I like being here." — Steve Bridges, impersonating George W. Attendees have described it as crowded, with a high ratio of non-journalists. Trump’s presence creates a dynamic where he shares the evening with media he has criticized. Trump has privately shown interest in the event despite public disparagement. In 2019, he forbade subordinates from attending. Observers note the dinner’s promotion as a celebration of journalism and the First Amendment.”