Full Breakdown
Trump Turns White House Correspondents’ Dinner into Personal Rally, Targeting LGBTQ+ Journalists
7/25/2026, 5:49:41 AM
Core Event – Rescheduled Correspondents’ Dinner
President Donald Trump delivered a lengthy, rally-style address at the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, held on a Friday night at the Waldorf Astoria Washington. The speech veered from TikTok view counts to a proposed rooftop “drone port,” interspersed with personal attacks on several journalists, including gay and transgender figures. Trump singled out CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, former CNN anchor Don Lemon, White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins, and transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, mixing mockery of their identities with criticism of their professional work.
Background & Context – Security Concerns and Past Violence
The dinner was organized as a smaller, heavily secured repeat of the traditional spring event after the April 25 gathering was disrupted by an armed attacker who opened fire, injuring Secret Service officer Victor Gonzales. That incident prompted heightened security measures and a renewed emphasis on a permanent White House venue, which Trump cited as justification for his “drone port” proposal.
Data & Statistics – Attendance and Bud Light Claim
- Approximately 700 guests attended the rescheduled dinner, far fewer than the roughly 2,600 who typically attend the larger event, according to Associated Press reporting.
Official Statements & Responses – Trump's Remarks
He framed the drone-port idea as a response to the April 25 shooting, arguing that a permanent venue would improve safety. The president also complained about ongoing lawsuits and alleged unfair treatment by news organizations, while repeatedly returning to individuals he felt had “treated him unfairly.” His comments about Anderson Cooper suggested an “antigay insinuation,” though he did not clarify the remark. Trump also mocked Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s weight and disparaged Democratic politicians such as James Talarico.
Verbatim Quotes – Selected Remarks
- “I like Anderson actually because he’s covered me well for many years, and he went bad as soon as I went for politics,” — Donald Trump, president
- “We had a contest for who had the lowest ratings and the lowest IQ on television,” — Donald Trump, president
- “You should be a happy person,” — Donald Trump, president
- “I thought Kaitlan had really made it big with a major new sponsorship, but then I informed her that it wasn’t her on the Bud Light can, it was Dylan Mulvaney,” — Donald Trump, president
- “Dylan Mulvaney cost Bud Light $35 billion in market cap,” — Donald Trump, president
- “The tour has been renamed ‘Bored in the USA,’” — Donald Trump, president
