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Trump Returns to Correspondents' Dinner, Mentalist Stuns, Journalists Boycott

4/25/2026

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump attended the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton, his first appearance as sitting president since 2015.
The dinner introduced professional mentalist Oz Pearlman, the first paranormal entertainer at the historic press-politics banquet.
Over 250 journalists signed an open letter demanding stronger First Amendment protection, prompting reporter Jim Acosta to announce a boycott.

History

Historical Context

In June 1971 the New York Times began publishing the Pentagon Papers, prompting the Nixon administration to seek a prior-restraint injunction. The Supreme Court rejected the request on June 30, 1971 in a 6-3 ruling that affirmed First Amendment press freedom. Journalists at the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, including Jim Acosta, cite that precedent as they demand stronger legal safeguards.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump attended the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton, his first appearance as sitting president since 2015.
The dinner introduced professional mentalist Oz Pearlman, the first paranormal entertainer at the historic press-politics banquet.
Over 250 journalists signed an open letter demanding stronger First Amendment protection, prompting reporter Jim Acosta to announce a boycott.

1 / 2