The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, traditionally a night of unity between the press and the administration, took an unexpected turn when President Donald Trump used the rescheduled event to deliver a rally-style address. Held at the Waldorf Astoria Washington, the dinner was a stark contrast to the usual festivities, with Trump targeting prominent journalists and discussing a wide array of topics.
The event, originally scheduled for April, was rescheduled after a gunman disrupted the gathering. This time, the dinner was held with heightened security and a smaller audience of about 700 guests, compared to the usual 2,600 attendees. The atmosphere was tense, and the president’s speech reflected that, moving from one subject to another with little transition.
Targeting Journalists and LGBTQ+ Figures
Trump’s speech included pointed remarks aimed at several journalists, particularly those who are openly LGBTQ+. He made an apparent antigay insinuation about CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, calling him a “different persuasion” without explicitly stating what he meant. Cooper, who publicly came out as gay in 2012, has been a visible figure in American journalism.
The president also targeted former CNN anchor Don Lemon, whom he referred to as “the dumbest man on television.” Lemon, who left CNN in 2026, is currently an independent journalist and was featured on the cover of The Advocate‘s July/August issue. Trump’s remarks about Lemon were part of a long-standing feud between the two.
Kaitlan Collins and Dylan Mulvaney
Trump’s attention then turned to CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins, who received an award during the dinner. The president admonished her to “smile,” followed by a bewildering comparison between Collins and transgender actress Dylan Mulvaney. Trump suggested that Collins had “made it big” with a major sponsorship, only to clarify that it was Mulvaney who had partnered with Bud Light.
The president’s remarks about Mulvaney were particularly pointed. He claimed that her partnership with Bud Light had cost the company $35 billion in market cap, a figure that has been widely disputed. The promotion, which involved a personalized commemorative can, became the center of a conservative backlash, leading to a significant drop in Bud Light’s sales.
From TikTok to White House Construction
Trump’s speech was a whirlwind of topics, ranging from his TikTok views to the UFC event held on the White House South Lawn. He mocked Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s weight, attacked Democratic politicians, and discussed his plans for a new ballroom at the White House. The president described the ballroom as a monument to both grandeur and security, mentioning features like thick glass and a proposed rooftop area for drones, which he called a “drone port.”
The dinner, intended to celebrate journalism and affirm the importance of a free press, took place amid deep concern about Trump’s treatment of news organizations. The president, who boycotted the dinner throughout his first term, recalled attending the 2011 event at which President Barack Obama mocked him. Trump denied that Obama’s jokes inspired him to run for president, stating that he had enjoyed the evening.
Despite the tense atmosphere, Trump concluded his speech by expressing his “tremendous respect” for the members of the media in attendance. He acknowledged that while he sometimes felt unfairly treated, he had a lot of respect for their profession. The dinner, held twice due to the April incident, honored Secret Service officer Victor Gonzales and members of the Washington Hilton staff for their bravery and service.
