Trump to Attend Rescheduled Correspondents' Dinner After April Attack

The White House Correspondents' Association has rescheduled its annual dinner for July 24, 2026, at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C. The original event on April 25 at the Washington Hilton ended in chaos when Donald Trump and other administration officials were targeted in an assassination attempt. Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old teacher from California, breached a security checkpoint armed with firearms and knives, firing a shotgun at a Secret Service officer who was protected by a bullet-resistant vest.

President Trump has confirmed he will attend and speak at the rescheduled gala, marking his first appearance at the event. To ensure safety, the dinner will feature a more intimate guest list, reduced from the typical 2,600 attendees to 1,300, along with enhanced security protocols including digital tickets and new access procedures. The Association raised funds to allow members who purchased tickets for the April event to attend the July dinner for free.

WHCA President Weijia Jiang stated the decision to reschedule serves as a statement that violence has no place in American life and that a free press will not be intimidated. Meanwhile, administration officials, including Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, have used the security breach to justify the construction of a permanent, high-security ballroom at the White House. Cole Tomas Allen remains in custody and has pleaded not guilty to federal charges including attempted assassination of the president.