US President Donald Trump is set to return to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Friday under tight security, three months after an alleged assassination attempt forced the cancellation of the annual event.
The dinner, originally scheduled for April at the Washington Hilton, was abruptly called off after gunshots were fired, leading to Trump’s evacuation from the venue.
Authorities later charged Cole Allen, a 31-year-old California man, with offences including the attempted assassination of the president. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
This year’s rescheduled event will take place at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, a venue that previously operated as a Trump hotel. Organisers said the new location will make the gathering smaller and more intimate.
To ensure maximum security, the US Secret Service has imposed extensive security measures around the venue, including road closures and a large security perimeter.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump is determined to deliver the speech he was unable to give in April.
“In April, President Trump promised to finish the job and plan another WHCA Dinner, and today, he will deliver on that promise,” Leavitt said.
“We look forward to a great and fun evening celebrating 250 years of American greatness and a free press,” she added.
The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) also defended its decision to reschedule the event despite the earlier violence.
“We will not allow an act of violence to have the last word,” said WHCA President Weijia Jiang.
Although Trump has frequently criticised the media, calling it the “enemy of the people,” he has hinted that his speech could still include some sharp remarks.
“I don’t know whether or not I will give the same rather nasty statements, at least as it concerns certain people, but we will soon find out,” Trump said.
In addition to the president’s address, the event will feature a performance by mentalist Oz Pearlman and a tribute to the Secret Service agent who helped stop the alleged attacker during the April incident despite being struck in his protective vest.
Speaking ahead of the dinner, Secret Service Director Sean Curran said the agency remains fully prepared despite growing security threats.
“The threat picture and environment is as large as I’ve ever seen it,” Curran said, describing the current threat level against top US officials as “off the charts.”
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner marks Trump’s first appearance at the event during his current presidential term after years of publicly criticising the media.
Source: AFP.
