Trump bashes 'fake news', stokes 2028 furor in press gala rerun

President Donald Trump, addressing a rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner, launched a sharp critique of the "fake news media" and playfully suggested he might seek a third, and even fourth, term in office. The event, held at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, took place three months after an assassination attempt forced its disruption earlier in the year.

“

This place is really the largest group of Trump derangement syndrome people ever put together at one time.

Initially striking a conciliatory tone and reflecting on the April attack, Trump quickly pivoted to his characteristic style, targeting journalists and Democratic opponents. He acknowledged the work of the Wall Street Journal, which had published stories on his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, but later joked about the journalists receiving awards for their reporting on his presidency.

“

The show must go on.

Trump's remarks about serving additional terms, explicitly barred by the U.S. Constitution, were delivered with a mix of humor and defiance. He quipped that "the second time is always better. And the third time is better yet," before pulling out a "Trump 2028" cap and announcing his "intention to run for a fourth term." He later insisted he was joking, though the repeated references kept the audience engaged.

“

Just like my presidency, the second time is always better. And the third time is better yet.

Despite the often rambling and campaign-rally-like nature of his speech, Trump concluded by expressing "tremendous respect" for the journalists present. However, he ended with a parting shot, suggesting that "When I'm gone, you're all going to be broke." This marked Trump's first appearance at the dinner after years of animosity with the press, held under heightened security following the earlier security incident.

“

I'm only kidding.