US President Donald Trump used a rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association dinner to criticise sections of the media while also calling for respect for free speech, BBC News reported.
The event, which celebrates press freedom, followed the cancellation of an earlier dinner three months ago after a shooting. The rescheduled gathering was held at the Waldorf Astoria rather than the Washington Hilton, where the April incident took place.
Trump joked that “the second time is always better” and said he respected “most” members of the media. However, he also accused many of those present of having “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and repeated criticism of what he called “fake news”.
Reporters from organisations with which Trump has clashed, including the New York Times, CNN and the Wall Street Journal, were among those honoured with awards. Trump shook hands with winners, including a Wall Street Journal team recognised for reporting on his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
WHCA President Weijia Jiang of CBS News said the dinner would return next year to the Washington Hilton. Referring to the shooting, she said she would “refuse to let an act of violence have the final word”.
Trump presented an award to Secret Service officer Victor Gonzalez, who was shot during the April incident. The president said Americans should settle differences “not with bullets, but with open and vigorous debate”.
At the end of his remarks, Trump put on a Trump 2028 cap and joked about serving another term. The BBC noted that he has repeatedly suggested running for a third term, despite the US Constitution’s two-term limit.
Security at the event was tighter than before, with road closures, a heavy police and national guard presence, double screening for guests and Secret Service officers visible inside the venue. Attendance was also lower, with about 700 people present compared with more than 2,000 in April.
The suspect in the April shooting, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president of the United States.
