President Donald Trump will attend the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton hotel this evening, marking his first appearance at the event as president. The Republican broke longstanding norms by skipping the dinner multiple times during his previous tenure in office.
Trump's Return to the Dinner
Trump's return comes after a memorable roasting by then-President Barack Obama at the 2011 dinner, an event that many believe spurred his decision to run for president. This year's iteration will not feature a comedian as master of ceremonies, deviating from tradition. Instead, mentalist Oz Pearlman will host the evening. Arrivals are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Eastern time.
Ongoing Feud with the Press
Trump's attendance occurs amid his administration's continued clashes with the media. Earlier this week, FBI Director Kash Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over a bombshell exposé alleging excessive drinking and erratic behavior on the job, claims he strongly denies. The president has frequently demonized the Washington press, and his Department of Defense attempted to remove the traditional press corps from the Pentagon.
Many are shocked that the Washington press corps would dine with a figure who regularly mocks journalists, whose Federal Communications Commission threatens to stonewall media outlets, and whose White House took over the press pool. The administration also barred the Associated Press from covering the White House for refusing to adopt the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to "the Gulf of America."
Why Trump Attends
Commentators note that Trump's presence underscores a symbiotic relationship: as much as reporters dislike admitting it, both sides need each other. The dinner was canceled multiple times during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, and Trump skipped previous years, breaking presidential tradition. This year's event is seen as a dramatic return to the D.C. media's biggest night.
