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Trump attends rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner amid heightened security

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • U.S. President Donald Trump attended the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association Dinner amid heightened security following an alleged assassination attempt.
  • The event, moved to the Waldorf Astoria, was smaller and more intimate than originally planned.
  • Trump was expected to deliver remarks, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating he would fulfill his promise to hold the dinner.

President Donald Trump returned to the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, three months after an alleged assassination attempt forced its cancellation. The event, held at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C., proceeded under significantly heightened security measures.

In April, President Trump promised to finish the job and plan another WHCA Dinner, and today, he will deliver on that promise.

โ€” Karoline LeavittWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated President Trump's intention to fulfill his promise to hold the rescheduled dinner.

Security forces sealed off nearby roads and established a major cordon, though guests experienced only cursory checks. The venue change from the Washington Hilton to the Waldorf Astoria, a former Trump hotel, resulted in a smaller, more intimate gathering. US Secret Service Director Sean Curran was present, observing guests' arrival and pre-dinner mingling.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump would deliver the speech he was prevented from giving in April. "In April, President Trump promised to finish the job and plan another WHCA Dinner, and today, he will deliver on that promise," Leavitt said in a statement to AFP. The association's president, Weijia Jiang, had previously expressed determination that "an act of violence" would not have the final word.

we will not allow an act of violence to have the last word.

โ€” Weijia JiangWeijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents Association, expressed the organization's resolve following the initial cancellation.

Trump's attendance marked his first at the dinner during his presidency, reflecting his often contentious relationship with the press, whom he has frequently labeled the "enemy of the people." While he had hinted at reverting to his critical style, he also acknowledged the event's significance as a "sign of strength and fortitude."

I don't know whether or not I will give the same rather nasty statements, at least as it concerns certain people, but we will soon find out. In any event, it will be a 'HOT' ticket!

โ€” Donald TrumpPresident Trump hinted at his potential remarks during a June announcement about attending the rescheduled dinner.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.