Story perspectives

Trump Attends Press Dinner Amid Journalist Boycott

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner Saturday night at the Washington Hilton.
More than 250 reporters, including Dan Rather and Sam Donaldson, signed a letter demanding a forceful defense of the press.
WHCA president said the entertainer’s monologue violated the dinner’s mission of a vigorous, free press.
Acosta, April Ryan and Kaitlan Collins announced they will skip the event, calling it hypocritical.

History

Historical Context

In 1971 the Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling in New York Times Co. v. United States, rejecting Nixon’s attempt to halt the Pentagon Papers and affirming that prior restraint violates the First Amendment. That precedent underpins today’s clash over Donald Trump’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, where reporters such as Dan Rather and Kaitlan Collins demand the same robust press protections.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner Saturday night at the Washington Hilton.
More than 250 reporters, including Dan Rather and Sam Donaldson, signed a letter demanding a forceful defense of the press.
WHCA president said the entertainer’s monologue violated the dinner’s mission of a vigorous, free press.
Acosta, April Ryan and Kaitlan Collins announced they will skip the event, calling it hypocritical.

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