Trump to attend rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner after April shooting halted gala

President Donald Trump is set to address the White House Correspondents' Association at a rescheduled dinner on Friday, marking his return to the event after a shooting halted the April gala. The incident occurred when a man attempted to breach a security checkpoint and fired a shotgun outside the ballroom where Trump and his cabinet were seated.

The rescheduled black-tie event will take place at the Waldorf Astoria hotel under significantly heightened security measures. Secret Service Director Sean Curran stated that a comprehensive security plan is in place, emphasizing that the situation is being treated with the same seriousness as any other presidential visit. The shooting has prompted Trump to advocate for a new $400 million ballroom at the White House, which he believes would enhance presidential security during such events.

This year's dinner will also honor Secret Service officer Victor Gonzales, who was shot while stopping the attacker at a security checkpoint and is credited with preventing further harm. Hotel staff who assisted guests during the April incident will also be recognized. The White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, a long-standing tradition, aims to raise funds for journalism scholarships and uphold the principles of the First Amendment.

The April shooting occurred during Trump's first presidential appearance at the dinner; he had previously boycotted the event. Trump has a history of contentious relations with the news media, often criticizing unfavorable coverage as "fake news" and taking actions such as barring the Associated Press from the White House press pool.

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We do expect bad people to show up. It's just a reality of where we are, but we're treating it no differently than any other site that the president goes to.