WASHINGTON — While journalists are typically known for covering the news, some believe it’s time they become the news themselves by taking a stand.
In a bold move, over 250 journalists have urged the members of the Washington press corps to make a strong statement of opposition against President Trump at the upcoming White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a high-profile event set for this Saturday.
For the first time since taking office, President Trump, now 79, plans to attend this prestigious gathering. However, these journalists are calling on the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) to ensure the President doesn’t feel at ease during the event.
In a letter addressed to the WHCA members, the journalists insisted on a public demonstration of support for press freedom. They suggested that the association should issue a powerful statement from the podium defending journalistic independence and condemning any threats against it, followed by a symbolic toast to the First Amendment.
“This is a moment to speak forcefully, directly in front of the man who has sought to challenge our nation’s longstanding tradition of a free and strong press,” the letter emphasized.
The WHCA, known for its role in organizing the annual dinner, has found itself at odds with President Trump numerous times over the past year, setting the stage for a potentially contentious evening.
Early last year, the White House press team began meddling in the pool rotation, in which outlets take turns getting special access to the president to share their notes and footage with everyone else.
Historically, the WHCA has set the pool rotation. Notably, the White House has left the WHCA in charge of determining outlet seat locations in the press briefing room.
Prominent veteran journalists such as former CBS News anchor Dan Rather, infamous for the erroneously reporting on President George W. Bush’s military service, and former ABC News anchor Sam Donaldson, signed the missive.
Groups such as the Society of Professional Journalists, Coalition for Women in Journalism, National Association of Black Journalists, Freedom of the Press Foundation, and more signed it as well.
The letter aired out a litany of grievances against Trump, such as his defamation suits against various outlets, alleged favoritism towards conservative media, and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr’s offensive tactics.
Another complaint was Trump’s decision to pardon Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol rioters, which the letter claims sends a “message that attacks on the press will be forgiven.”
They also noted in the letter that many journalists attending the ritzy dinner on Saturday intend to don lapel pins or pocket handkerchiefs emblazoned with the words of the First Amendment as a more low-key protest.
The call for protests comes amid polling pegging trust in the media at all-time lows, particularly among Republican voters. Last year, Gallup found that only 28% of the public has a great or fair amount of trust in mass media.
Last year, the WHCA was pressured to cancel comedian Amber Ruffin, whom it tapped to headline the feted dinner after she publicly called the Trump administration a “bunch of murderers,” and complained about being asked to tone down her material
This year, the WHCA has tapped mentalist Oz Pearlman as the night’s main entertainment instead of a traditional comedian.
The last time Trump attended a White House Correspondents’ Dinner was 2011, when then-President Barack Obama mercilessly roasted him for peddling conspiracy theories about his birth certificate.
“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,” Trump explained on Truth Social last month. “However, I look forward to being with everyone this year. Hopefully, it will be something very Special.”
The Post contacted the WHCA for comment. The White House referred The Post to Trump’s Truth Social post last month when asked for comment about the letter.
