ByREUTERS

JULY 25, 2026 06:15

US President Donald Trump claimed during the White House Correspondents Association dinner on Saturday that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has shifted his stance toward Palestinian positions.

"This was a man who was 100 percent for Israel," Trump stated. "But now he is a great, proud Palestinian."

"I am going to send him a beautiful Palestinian outfit tomorrow so he can greet Bibi Netanyahu when he comes to town next week," the president added.

Trump mixed lighthearted remarks about the media with praise for the Secret Service after the event resumed following an earlier shooting that postponed the original April gathering.

Although his administration has frequently clashed with journalists, Trump opened his remarks in a mostly cordial spirit, blending humor with sharp comments about outlets he labels the fake news media.

He also directed pointed comments at several figures in media and politics, including journalists Don Lemon and Lawrence O'Donnell, as well as politicians Chris Christie and Adam Schiff, and entertainers Bruce Springsteen and Jane Fonda.

Trump indicated he had planned stronger criticism before the prior event was canceled. "This place is really the largest group of Trump derangement syndrome people ever put together at one time," he said. "I suspect some of you are lucky that our last dinner was cut short because I was going to go after you."

Trump attends event following previous boycotts

This marked Trump's first appearance at the dinner during his current term. He had skipped the occasion in earlier years but indicated he would attend again next year.

Press freedom groups have raised concerns about lawsuits filed by the administration against news organizations, limits on reporter access, and warnings directed at broadcasters. Trump dismisses these concerns and maintains that his team is enforcing accountability and correcting perceived bias.

The formal gathering of journalists, lawmakers, and officials at the Washington Hilton was canceled on April 25 after an individual attempted to breach security and discharged a shotgun near the ballroom where Trump and cabinet members were seated.

The suspect, Cole Allen, entered a not guilty plea in May to charges that include an attempt on the president's life.

The dinner was relocated to a smaller space at the Waldorf Astoria hotel with increased security, and the evening opened with a statement of resolve against the earlier attack.

"Tonight, our message is this: We are back. We will not be intimidated. We refuse to let an act of violence have the final word," said outgoing White House Correspondents Association president Weijia Jiang of CBS News.

'We do not yield to political violence'

Trump later echoed that stance, declaring, "We do not yield to political violence. No deranged loser with a gun will ever change that."

The program recognized Secret Service officer Victor Gonzales, who was wounded while halting the April attack at a checkpoint, along with hotel staff who aided guests. Gonzales wore protective gear and was the sole person injured that evening.

The long-standing black-tie event, held for more than a century, funds journalism scholarships and marks the press freedoms protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

While the dinner usually includes a comedian, this year's entertainment featured mentalist Oz Pearlman.

Trump closed with several quips, telling attendees, "I know it was not easy finding shoes to go along with your bulletproof vest, which many people did not want to wear because they would rather die than look 20 pounds heavier."

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.