Trump Fires Shots at Media Tonight – Press Gets a Show‑Stopper

Sun Sep 06 2026 09:41:50 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

President Trump takes shots at reporters, calls them fake news, and hands out awards at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Live from the Washington Hilton.

When President Donald Trump took to the stage at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, he mixed praise and profanity, awarding journalists while lambasting those he calls “fake news.” He accused some reporters of having “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” and joked about a future presidency. The event was packed with security after a 2024 shooting, giving it an icy backdrop for the political show‑stopper. In his speech, Trump couched criticism in humor, citing his love for most journalists while warning the media to respect free speech. The evening highlighted the split between the White House and the press, as Trump phoned in sharp takes on the norms of journalism.

Trump Fires Shots at Media Tonight – Press Gets a Show‑Stopper

President Donald Trump took to the stage at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, rewarding journalists and delivering a snarky monologue that revisited the infamous 2024 shooting at the event. He told reporters in the room that his “show must go on.”

While shaking hands, Trump hailed a Wall Street Journal team for coverage of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, then launched into a roast, labeling several reporters as “fake news” and accusing them of exuding a “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” He even teased that reporters would be “broke” once he is out of office, joking about a future bid for President in 2028.

Security was tight after a gunman’s attempt to shoot the president in April. The 2026 dinner was scaled back from the 2,000‑strong April event, with around 700 guests, multiple layers of screening, and Secret Service rifles on hand. The pandemic‑era choreography of entry decisions gave the ceremony a tense mood.

Trump thanked award winners, including a journalist team that covered Epstein ties.
He called for respect for free speech, promising “no deranged loser with a gun” can sway politics.
Trump’s remarks hinted at an ongoing media war: at times cordial, at many points cut‑throat.
Moving forward, the White House will host the next dinner at the Washington Hilton.

The dinner spotlighted the choppy relationship between the White House and mainstream media, as Trump fused awards with jibes, leaving audiences baffled about whether the event was a celebration or a confrontation. For full coverage, see related clips and analysis on SnapScope.