Washington [US], July 26: US President Donald Trump returned to the White House correspondents' dinner on Friday, three months after a shooting incident forced the original event to be abandoned.
"As I said three months ago, the show must go on," he told the audience. The event was called off in April after an armed man stormed a security checkpoint at the hotel where the dinner was being held in Trump's presence. Shots were fired and a law enforcement officer was hit.
"Your lives were really in danger the last time. But on the plus side, your careers were saved," Trump said. It was Trump's first attendance at the gala dinner as US president as he boycotted the event during his first term. His attendance came amid a tense relationship between the White House and the media. He has frequently referred to the media as "enemies of the people." He told the gathered journalists there were a number in the room he liked and some he didn't.
"But I respect most of them. I must say that you do a great job, amazing job, and it's an honour." He went on to say the dinner was "the largest group of Trump derangement syndrome people" ever put together at one time.
Trump said he would attend again next year but added it would depend on how he was treated by media.
"Now if you get really, really nasty, maybe not. I don't know. But we're going to be back next year." Trump used his speech to criticize his political rivals and media. He also discussed the Iran war, immigration and crime and repeated his beliefs about his election defeat in 2020, which he still does not recognize.
"We have made America great again and it's going to get a lot greater," Trump said while wearing a "Trump 2028" baseball cap.
He also critiqued his speechwriter after a number of jokes failed to impress the audience.
The White House Correspondents' Association, which represents journalists covering the White House, has hosted the gala for more than 100 years. The event traditionally brings together journalists, government officials and other prominent guests.
Source: Qatar Tribune
