SouthernWorldwide.com – President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD) will be held at the Waldorf Astoria in July. This comes nearly three months after a shooting incident abruptly ended this year’s gala at the Washington Hilton.
Trump shared the news on Truth Social, stating that the rescheduled event is a “sign of Strength and Fortitude.” He emphasized that “we cannot allow Lunatics to change our way of life, or even its scheduling.”
He further noted that the event will be a “HOT” ticket and highlighted the venue change. “Interestingly, the location will be The Waldorf Astoria, on Pennsylvania Avenue, a Building and Ballroom that I built,” Trump stated.
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The White House Correspondents’ Dinner has traditionally been hosted at the Washington Hilton. However, this year’s event was cut short when an armed individual stormed the venue, an act authorities described as an attempt to assassinate the president. The incident led Secret Service agents to escort the president and the first lady from the room as guests sought cover, bringing the dinner to an immediate halt.
Trump also mentioned that he had accepted an invitation to speak at the event, extended by Weijia Jiang, President of The White House Correspondents’ Association. He questioned whether he would deliver the same “rather nasty statements” he had planned, particularly concerning certain individuals, adding that “we will soon find out.”
The Waldorf Astoria is situated in the Old Post Office building, a property previously home to the Trump International Hotel Washington D.C., operated by the Trump Organization. The Trump Organization sold the lease rights for the hotel in 2022.
Weijia Jiang informed association members via email that the White House Correspondents’ Association board made the decision to reschedule. She described the upcoming event as a more “intimate gathering.”
Jiang also stated that the event will incorporate “significantly enhanced safety measures and new access procedures.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who has been on maternity leave, confirmed her attendance on X, expressing anticipation for a “great night.”
Jiang further elaborated that the dinner will serve as more than just a program. “It will be a statement that violence has no place in American life and a free press will not be intimidated into silence,” she said. She commended the members, stating, “As you have all demonstrated, courage and community can and should rise above.”
In May, suspect Cole Allen pleaded not guilty to charges including attempting to assassinate the president of the United States, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, transporting a firearm across state lines, and assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon.
