Trump targets critical press, jokes about seeking 'fourth term' at correspondents' dinner

U.S. President Donald Trump directed sharp criticism at critical journalists and opposition politicians during his address at the correspondents' dinner held at the Waldorf Astoria. The event, which took place three months after an alleged assassination attempt on Trump, saw the president adopt a lighter tone than expected, though he did not refrain from discussing "fake news."

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You have no idea how lucky you are. When I'm gone, you're going to go broke. Your business model will be gone. There will be no one else to report on. Nobody cares about anyone else.

Amidst jokes, Trump reiterated his claims of winning three elections, alluding to unproven fraud in the 2020 election. He humorously declared his intention to run for a fourth term, donning a "Trump 2028" cap. This announcement came as many journalists critical of him received awards for their work, including CNN's Kaitlan Collins and The Wall Street Journal's Josh Dawsey, for their reporting on Trump's past association with financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump specifically targeted Collins and CNN's Jake Tapper, accusing Collins of not smiling and being part of "Fake News," a claim the network defended. He also criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom and legislator Ilhan Omar. Trump recalled the 2016 correspondents' dinner where then-President Barack Obama mocked him, an event many believe influenced Trump's decision to run for president.

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That's why, tonight, to show how much I care about the press and that I want to save your ratings, I am pleased to announce my intention, and this is sort of a scoop, that I will be running for a fourth term as President of the United States.

The president also touched upon the need to limit terms in Congress, a remark that did not sit well with the journalists present. The speech highlighted Trump's ongoing contentious relationship with the press and his willingness to engage in political sparring, even during a celebratory event.

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It hasn't been an easy night. All these awards.