Featured Image Credit: Allison Robbert/For The Washington Post via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, News, US News, Politics, Explained
Madison Burgess
Topics: Donald Trump, News, US News, Politics, Explained
Donald Trump is set to attend the White House correspondents’ association dinner this weekend for the first time as US President.
This will mark the first time the Republican leader, 79, has not boycotted the event as commander in chief, after previously pulling a no-show each time the annual meeting rolled around.
During his first presidency, Trump didn't attend the dinners in 2017, 2018, and 2019, and also declined to attend the event last year.
Before Trump, every American President has attended the dinner at least once since the historic tradition began all the way back in 1921.
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For context, the White House correspondents’ association (WHCA) dinner, which this year is taking place on Saturday (April 25) at the Washington Hilton, sees journalists, celebrities, and lawmakers come together to party with the president and administration officials.
They also raise money for the Correspondents’ Association scholarships and award journalists for their hard work.
Taking to social media on 2 March, Trump announced the surprise news that he would be attending the event.
He wrote: "The White House Correspondents Association has asked me, very nicely, to be the Honoree at this year’s Dinner, a long and storied tradition since it began in 1924, under then President Calvin Coolidge.
"In honor of our Nation’s 250th Birthday, and the fact that these “Correspondents” now admit that I am truly one of the Greatest Presidents in the History of our Country, the G.O.A.T., according to many, it will be my Honor to accept their invitation, and work to make it the GREATEST, HOTTEST, and MOST SPECTACULAR DINNER, OF ANY KIND, EVER!"
Divulging into a bit of a rant, he continued: "Because the Press was extraordinarily bad to me, FAKE NEWS ALL, right from the beginning of my First Term, I boycotted the event, and never went as Honoree.
"However, I look forward to being with everyone this year. Hopefully, it will be something very Special. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
But, this year, ahead of the event, more than 250 journalists have come together to urge the association to 'forcefully demonstrate opposition' to Trump at the dinner, because of his 'efforts to trample freedom of the press'.
They are calling for a verbal statement to be made condemning attacks on the media at the annual dinner.
In a letter sent to the WHCA, the group wrote: "The dinner has long served as a symbol of the vital and irreplaceable role of a free press in American democracy and a celebration of the First Amendment and the journalists who uphold it.
"President Trump’s systematic, sustained, and unprecedented attacks on the free press render his presence at such an event a profound contradiction of its purpose."
It urged: "Speak forcefully, in front of the man who seeks to undermine our country’s long tradition of independent, strong, and free press."
It's no secret that Trump has always had a rocky and contentious relationship with the media, frequently issuing lengthy Truth Social posts accusing reporters of having left-wing bias and being 'corrupt'.
The President usually gives a speech at the event where they speak about the First Amendment and the need for free press, however, the journalists have made the point that the annual dinner 'cannot be business as usual with the press standing up to applaud the man who attacks them on a daily basis'.
What happens at the event?
The event usually features a comedian performing a 'roast' and Trump famously did attend back in 2011, but of course, not as the president.
At the time, Barack Obama was in the role - and he didn't hold back, directing his roast towards the then-reality TV star, who was in the audience.
Comedian Seth Myers also managed to get a few jokes of his own in as he took to the stage, adding: "Donald Trump has been saying that he will run for president as a Republican, which is surprising since I just assumed he was running as a joke."
As for this year, famed mentalist Oz Pearlman will be the headline entertainer at its annual dinner.
He said: “I am thrilled to be the featured entertainer at this year’s WHCA dinner and join the ranks of Frank Sinatra, Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien, among many other legends. This is a rare opportunity to gather so many accomplished, perceptive people in one place and invite them to share moments of wonder, surprise, and awe.”
Tyla has contacted the White House and the WHCA for comment.