Trump Returns to Correspondents' Dinner, Jokes About Security After Attack

President Donald Trump made a return to the White House Correspondents' Dinner, an event he had previously boycotted. This year's dinner, held nearly three months after an assassination attempt at the April ceremony, saw a significant increase in security and a change of venue.

"The assassination attempt at the Hilton was an assault on our democracy," Trump stated during his lengthy speech, referencing the April 26 incident where an armed man attempted to enter the dinner venue, leading to a shootout with security. The president used the occasion to deliver a speech filled with jokes directed at the press.

He quipped that the room held "the largest concentration of people with Trump derangement syndrome ever gathered in one place." Trump also joked that some attendees were "disappointed" the April attack had interrupted his planned criticisms of them.

The dinner was held at the Waldorf Astoria, a hotel formerly owned by the Trump family, instead of the traditional Washington Hilton. Attendance was substantially reduced, from approximately 2,600 guests in April to about 700. The Secret Service implemented heightened security measures, including QR code checks for entry.

Trump continued his humorous take on the security, joking that he "hadn't found shoes that matched the bulletproof vest" and quipping about attendees who opted out to avoid appearing heavier. The event also included awards for journalists from The Wall Street Journal, AP, CNN, and The New York Times, as well as recognition for AP's Susan Walsh and ABC's Melissa Young. Secret Service agent Victor Gonzales, injured in the April attack, was also honored.