Trump condemns violence, slams press at White House Correspondents' Dinner

President Trump used his speech at Friday's rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association Dinner to condemn the political violence that postponed the annual event — and in the next breath attack and insult the gathered press. The president opened with jokes to the hundreds of assembled journalists and even made a little fun of himself, in a speech that started light — before descending into a litany of familiar complaints about reporters and prominent Democrats. 'In America we do not yield to political violence,' Trump told event attendees, referencing the gunman who opened fire outside the ballroom where he and hundreds of others were gathered for the previously scheduled dinner in April. 'In this country we believe in freedom of speech, we settle our differences not with bullets but with open and vigorous debate, and no deranged loser with a gun will ever change that. We can't let that ever happen,' Trump said. 'It's great to be back as a place (I) know very well because I built it,' Trump said, referencing the Waldorf Astoria's former life as Trump International Hotel. 'I'm very proud of it because I built it for $2.9 billion less than the Federal Reserve building.' 'Everyone is looking really good tonight, and I know it's not easy finding shoes to match your bulletproof vest. Many people would rather die than look 20 pounds heavier, you know that, right?' The speech wasn't without barbs and airing of some familiar grievances by the president. He attacked prominent reporters by name, particularly going after CNN's Kaitlin Collins (demanding she smile more) and Jake Tapper (who he called 'Fake Tapper'). Trump also cracked a joke about a 'once-feared and powerful regime' being toppled and now being run by 'a gay dictator facing internal divisions' — adding 'I for one wish Bari Weiss all the best at CBS News.' The line got only a muted response. Trump's speech, which ran just over an hour, started on a warmer tone but quickly descended into a familiar one of confrontation. 'For all of the trouble that you give me — you give me a lot of trouble, a lot of heartache — I hope all of you know that I believe in the free press more than anyone in this room does.' He then donned a 'Trump 2028' hat and pledged to run for another term, to chuckles and light applause.