Trump Criticizes RFK Jr., Biden, Collins at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

President Donald Trump addressed the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Friday evening, targeting the press, Democratic lawmakers and several high‑profile critics in a speech that elicited a muted response from the audience. The remarks came just months after a gunman allegedly attempted to attack the event, prompting heightened security measures and a somber tone among attendees. Trump opened his remarks by defending his administration’s policies and accusing the media of “constant hostility,” before turning to a broader critique of what he described as “the left‑leaning elite” that includes Hollywood personalities who have publicly opposed him.

The president’s comments were interspersed with jokes that fell flat, and several journalists and guests offered little more than polite applause before the evening concluded. Lawmakers from both parties refrained from direct rebuttal, while the Secret Service confirmed that the heightened security presence remained in effect throughout the dinner. The speech underscored the continued tension between the Trump administration and the press corps, a dynamic that is likely to shape interactions at future WHCA events and broader political discourse.