In a surprising move, former President Donald Trump has decided to attend this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, marking his first appearance at the event during his presidency. This announcement caught many in Washington off guard, as Trump previously avoided the annual gathering throughout his time in office.
Trump shared the news via Truth Social, stating, “The White House Correspondents Association has graciously invited me to be the Honoree at this year’s Dinner, a tradition that dates back to 1924 under President Calvin Coolidge.”
He continued, “In celebration of our Nation’s 250th Birthday and acknowledging the ‘Correspondents’ who now recognize me as one of the greatest presidents in our country’s history, I have accepted their invitation. I am committed to making this the most memorable, exciting, and spectacular dinner ever!”
Reflecting on his previous absences, Trump commented, “Due to the press’s persistent negativity and fake news from the start of my first term, I chose to boycott the event and never attended as Honoree. However, this year I am eager to join everyone and hope it will be a truly special occasion.”
During his presidency, Trump consistently skipped the dinner, instructing his team to do the same. Instead, he often organized alternative events on the same night, drawing attention away from the prestigious black-tie affair.
Many White House insiders had anticipated that Trump would continue his tradition of boycotting the event this year as well.
“We’re happy the president has accepted our invitation and look forward to hosting him,” said Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang of CBS News.
“For more than 100 years, the journalists of the White House Correspondents’ Association have enjoyed an evening with the president, a dinner that celebrates the First Amendment while supporting the work we do including awards honoring excellent journalism and scholarships to help the next generation of reporters who someday will be the ones asking the questions at the White House.”
Trump, at the time a billionaire real estate developer and host of “The Apprentice,” attended the dinner in 2011 before his first term and found himself the butt of jokes made by then-President Barack Obama and comedian Seth Meyers.
“Donald Trump is here tonight! Now, I know that he’s taken some flak lately, but no one is happier, no one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest than the Donald,” Obama joked.
“And that’s because he can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter — like, did we fake the moon landing? What really happened in Roswell? And where are Biggie and Tupac?”
Meyers, meanwhile, said: “Donald Trump often talks about running as a Republican, which is surprising. I just assumed he was running as a joke.”
Trump has said that he was honored by Obama’s ridicule — and denied rumors that he ultimately ran for president in 2016 because he was infuriated by his treatment.
“When I ultimately announced, people [said] I announced because of that night, I’m going to get even — I didn’t even think of it. It’s so ridiculous. It’s just made-up fiction,” Trump told The Post in a 2020 interview.
“[Obama] treated me very nicely. You know, it was fun, but he treated me with respect,” Trump said.
“That no-talent comic [Meyers] was nasty — ‘marble mouth’, because he can’t speak properly … The guy’s got no talent whatsoever. Zero. How do these guys get jobs? I don’t get it.”
This year’s entertainer will be “mentalist” Oz Pearlman, who specializes in mind-reading and mind-control performances.
