Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will attend and deliver a speech at the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner. The event, initially set for April 25, was postponed to July 24 following an attempted assassination incident.
According to Thai News Agency, Trump announced his attendance via Truth Social, stating that he was invited by the president of the White House Correspondents Association. He emphasized that the new format of the event demonstrates resilience and determination, asserting that "we won't let crazy people change our lives or even our schedules." Trump, known for his contentious relationship with the media, hinted at the possibility of delivering a surprise speech, leaving attendees guessing whether he will utilize the media critique he had prepared for the original date.
The banquet is scheduled to take place at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C., a location with previous ties to Trump's business ventures. The Press Association has described the upcoming dinner as a more intimate and private gathering. Efforts are underway to enable members, who had originally purchased tickets for the April event, to attend without additional cost. Additionally, the association aims to provide travel support for scholarship recipients, though the official venue announcement is still pending. Enhanced security measures will be implemented in partnership with the Secret Service to ensure attendees' safety.
The decision to reschedule comes in the wake of a dramatic incident at the previous banquet held in late April at the Washington Hilton Hotel. A 31-year-old man, Cole Thomas Allen, breached security, wielding a gun and a knife, and opened fire in the hotel lobby. This incident led to the swift evacuation of President Trump, Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and cabinet members amidst chaos among the 2,600 attendees and journalists.
Allen faces charges of attempted assassination of the president and other related offenses. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody awaiting trial.