Trump returns to Correspondents' Dinner, tells media 'you'll go bankrupt without me'

Former President Donald Trump made a notable appearance at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, an annual gala that celebrates the First Amendment and raises funds for journalism scholarships. The event, traditionally held in April, was postponed and rescheduled due to a shooting incident earlier in the year.

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When I leave, you will all go bankrupt. Your business model will be finished.

During his address, Trump engaged in his characteristic style of sharp commentary and political jabs. He asserted that many media organizations are heavily dependent on his public profile, warning that "When I leave, you will all go bankrupt. Your business model will be finished." He concluded this point by briefly donning a "Trump 2028" hat.

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I hope you all know that I believe in freedom of the press more than anyone in this room, maybe not that much. So I am proud to be the most open and transparent president in history.

Trump's remarks also targeted his political adversaries and revisited familiar talking points from his rallies. Despite the critical tone towards the press, he also stated his belief in press freedom, claiming to be the "most open and transparent president in history" and highlighting his administration's unprecedented access for journalists. He suggested that engaging with the media offers an opportunity to shape narratives, stating, "If you don't talk to the media, you'll always get a bad story."

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I have always believed that if you don't talk to the media, you'll always get a bad story.