Trump attacks media and jokes about third term at rescheduled press dinner

US President Donald Trump attacked what he called the “fake news media” and again raised the idea of serving beyond the two-term limit as he spoke Friday at a rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, three months after the original event was disrupted by an alleged assassination attempt.

Trump addressed the black-tie media gala at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, after the venue was moved from the Washington Hilton and security was tightened. The earlier dinner in April was called off after gunshots were fired and Trump was evacuated. California man Cole Allen, 31, has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempting to kill the president.

Trump began by reflecting on the April attack and saying, “The show must go on.” He then turned to criticism of journalists and Democratic opponents during an often rambling, campaign-style speech. He told the room it contained “the largest group of Trump derangement syndrome people ever put together at one time.”

Trump had earlier laughed and raised his hands while shaking hands with a Wall Street Journal team that reported on his ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Later, after journalists received prizes for reporting on his second presidency, he joked that it had “not been an easy evening.”

Trump also revived talk about another term, which is barred by the US Constitution. “Just like my presidency, the second time is always better. And the third time is better yet,” he said, before adding that he was joking. He later held up a red “Trump 2028” cap and said he was “pleased to announce” an intention to run for a fourth term as president, describing it as “somewhat of a scoop.”

The 80-year-old president ended the hour-long speech by saying he had “tremendous respect” for the journalists present, while adding: “When I'm gone you're all going to be broke.” He said he planned to attend the dinner again next year.

CBS correspondent Weijia Jiang, the outgoing president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, opened the event by saying, “Let's try this again.” She said the message of the night was: “We are back. We will not be intimidated. We will not let an act of violence have the final word.” Incoming WHCA president Jacqui Heinrich said the dinner would return to the Washington Hilton next year.

Security was visibly increased for the rescheduled event. Police and National Guard officers closed nearby roads and set up a large security cordon, though guests entering the dinner faced only a brief check of a QR code and identification. Secret Service Director Sean Curran was in the entrance hall as guests arrived.

The event also included a performance by mentalist Oz Pearlman and a tribute to a Secret Service agent who helped stop the alleged gunman in April. Curran defended security at the original event, saying “the system worked” because a cordon stopped the alleged attacker from reaching the main hall. Curran, who was with Trump when a bullet hit the Republican's ear at a 2024 election rally, said threats against top US officials were “off the charts” and that the current threat environment was as large as he had seen it.