WHCA announces rescheduled dinner after April shooting
OAN Staff Addie Davis
2:34 PM – Tuesday, June 2, 2026
The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) announced that another dinner will be held after a shooting disrupted the previous one and marked President Donald Trump’s third assassination attempt.
In a Tuesday statement, WHCA President Weijia Jiang said the dinner would be a “more intimate gathering” and would take place in Washington, D.C., on July 24th.
“When gunfire interrupted this year’s event, it further clarified the WHCA’s mission to advocate for the freedoms that are protected in the First Amendment,” Jiang said.
“We will not allow an act of violence to have the last word, especially during a year when we are reflecting on the 250th anniversary of America and everything we stand for,” she continued.
The April 25th White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD) was cut short after shots rang out at the Washington Hilton where the event was being held, prompting Secret Service agents to escort President Trump and several of his administration officials out of the venue.
In a Tuesday Truth Social post, Trump acknowledged the rescheduled event, promising his attendance.
“In a sign of Strength and Fortitude, it was just announced that The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which violently ended rather abruptly on April 25th, will be rescheduled to July 24th. This announcement is a very good thing in that we cannot allow Lunatics to change our way of life, or even its scheduling,” the president said.
“I was asked to be there, and speak, by Weijia Jiang, President of The White House Correspondents’ Association, and have accepted. I don’t know whether or not I will give the same rather nasty statements, at least as it concerns certain people, but we will soon find out. In any event, it will be a ‘HOT’ ticket!” he continued.
Responding to Trump’s announcement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who is currently on maternity leave, commented on the event.
“Looking forward to a great night!” she said.
In Jiang’s Tuesday statement, she said details about the venue would soon be provided. However, Trump announced the location for the event.
“Interestingly, the location will be The Waldorf Astoria, on Pennsylvania Avenue, a Building and Ballroom that I built,” Trump added.
Secret Service agents apprehended Cole Tomas Allen, the accused WHCD gunman, who attempted to run a security checkpoint at the hotel. He was indicted on four charges, to which he pleaded not guilty, and if convicted, he faces life imprisonment.
Jiang emphasized that the “event will feature significantly enhanced safety measures and new access procedures.”
“Our thoughts remain with the officer who was injured and with everyone who experienced that evening. We are indebted to the US Secret Service, law enforcement and the hotel staff whose swift response protected our guests and our staff,” Jiang said.
“This dinner will not only be an opportunity to carry out our program. It will be a statement that violence has no place in American life and a free press will not be intimidated into silence. As you have all demonstrated, courage and community can and should rise above,” she continued.
Trump’s attendance at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner broke a years-long streak of boycotting the event.
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