Story perspectives

Trump Attends First WHCD as Journalists Protest Press Attacks

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Former journalists petitioned the White House Correspondents’ Association to denounce President Donald Trump’s press-freedom assaults.
President Donald Trump will attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on Saturday, his first as president.
WHCA chair Weijia Jiang said the dinner celebrates the First Amendment despite the administration’s hostile rhetoric.
Some reporters, including New York Times correspondent Peter Baker, are skipping the dinner, saying Trump’s attacks require a stronger response.

History

Historical Context

After Daniel Ellsberg leaked the 7,000-page Pentagon Papers in 1971, the Nixon administration sued The New York Times to halt publication. The Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling in New York Times Co. v. United States affirmed press freedom, the first federal restraint since Lincoln’s era. Today journalists like Peter Baker and WHCA chair Weijia Jiang cite that precedent against modern press-restriction attempts.

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Story summary

Former journalists petitioned the White House Correspondents’ Association to denounce President Donald Trump’s press-freedom assaults.
President Donald Trump will attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on Saturday, his first as president.
WHCA chair Weijia Jiang said the dinner celebrates the First Amendment despite the administration’s hostile rhetoric.
Some reporters, including New York Times correspondent Peter Baker, are skipping the dinner, saying Trump’s attacks require a stronger response.

1 / 2