Story perspectives

WHCA Pressured to Exclude Trump from Annual Dinner

4/20/2026

Summary

WHCA Challenges Trump

The White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) faces pressure to oppose U.S. President Donald Trump’s attendance at its April 25 dinner.
A letter from journalism groups argues Trump’s attacks on the press contradict the event’s purpose.
Attendees plan to wear First Amendment symbols.
Meloni distances herself from Trump and Netanyahu after criticizing his remarks about the Pope.
Machado seeks to revive her movement as Trump backs Maduro’s vice-president Delcy Rodríguez.

Summary

Pope Advocates Disarmament

Pope Leo XIV calls for disarmament and peace, contrasting with U.S. President Donald Trump’s military-focused approach.
Trump criticizes the Pope for being soft on nuclear weapons, while Leo calls for leaders to abandon nuclear pursuits.
The Pope warns of nuclear arms dangers and urges renewal of the New START Treaty.
Trump's administration plans a $1.5 trillion defense budget to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal, raising concerns.

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WHCA Challenges Trump

The White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) faces pressure to oppose U.S. President Donald Trump’s attendance at its April 25 dinner.
A letter from journalism groups argues Trump’s attacks on the press contradict the event’s purpose.
Attendees plan to wear First Amendment symbols.
Meloni distances herself from Trump and Netanyahu after criticizing his remarks about the Pope.
Machado seeks to revive her movement as Trump backs Maduro’s vice-president Delcy Rodríguez.

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