President Donald Trump turned the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner into a platform to criticize the media and crack jokes about remaining in office beyond the constitutional limit.
Speaking before journalists and guests at the Waldorf Astoria on Friday, Trump described the audience as “the largest group of Trump derangement syndrome people ever put together at one time.”
He began on a reflective note, recalling the assassination attempt that led to the postponement of the original April event, saying, “The show must go on.”
As his address continued, Trump targeted members of the press and Democratic politicians while also laughing at himself after one of his jokes failed to impress the audience.
“That was actually the only thing I thought was good in this whole freaking stupid speech,” he said.
Although he repeatedly criticized news outlets, Trump admitted there was value in engaging with reporters.
“I always find that when you don’t speak to the press, you always get a bad story. When you do speak to the press, you have a shot at getting a good story,” he said.
Wrapping up his remarks, Trump told journalists he had “tremendous respect” for them before joking that their profession relied heavily on him.
“When I’m gone you’re all going to be broke. Your business model is gonna be finished. When I’m not around, you’re gonna be broke. There’s not gonna be anybody to report on. Nobody gives a damn about anybody else,” he said.
Trump also joked about extending his stay in the White House, saying, “Just like my presidency, the second time is always better. And the third time is better yet,” before adding, “I’m only kidding.”
Moments later, he held up a red “Trump 2028” cap and quipped, “I’m pleased to announce my intention to, and this is somewhat of a scoop, my intention to run for a fourth term as president of the United States.”
He further joked that he had “won three times” and was “getting very good at running for president,” while claiming that roughly 93 percent of the media coverage he receives is negative.
