President Donald Trump delivered what the White House promised would be a “unifying yet vicious” speech at the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Friday night, roasting political opponents and media figures while striking a surprisingly conciliatory tone toward the press.
The annual black-tie affair, traditionally held earlier in the year, took place at the Waldorf Astoria — formerly the Trump International Hotel — three months after the original dinner was canceled when an assassination attempt unfolded outside the Washington Hilton ballroom. Security was dramatically tightened for the rescheduled event, with the Secret Service implementing airport-style magnetometer screenings for all guests.
“It’s great to be back at a place that I know very well because I built it,” Trump quipped as he opened his remarks. “But just like my presidency the second time is always better. It’s always better. And the third time will be better yet. I’m only kidding.”
Joking About the Assassination Attempt
The president addressed the January incident that forced the postponement, calling it “an assault on our democracy itself” and praising law enforcement officers who responded. But true to form, he found humor even in that frightening moment.
“After hearing the gunshots many people yelled ‘Get down get down,’ which caused Nicki Minaj to start twerking,” Trump joked. “Do you believe it? Get down. She’s the only one that really understood what that meant.”
From there, Trump declared the gathering “the largest group of Trump Derangement Syndrome people ever put together at one time” and proceeded to roast a wide array of political figures and celebrities.
Taking Aim at RFK Jr. and Others
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was in attendance, became the target of jokes about his past roadkill controversies. Trump claimed Kennedy “personally ran over the cow in his car” that provided the beef tenderloin served at dinner, adding that the secretary “cut it up and he brought it here for you to eat tonight so it’s very fresh.”
“Bobby also suggested an appetizer featuring his favorite cut of male raccoon roadkill,” Trump continued, “but we drew the line at that.”
The president didn’t limit his barbs to cabinet members. His targets included former President Joe Biden, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Senator Adam Schiff, Rosie O’Donnell, CNN’s Jake Tapper, and late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert.
Bruce Springsteen received particularly harsh treatment after recently criticizing Trump. “What about Bruce Springsteen? What the hell happened to that guy? He looks like hell,” Trump said, joking that the rock legend’s tour had been renamed “Bored in the USA.”
Playing With Presidential Term Limits
Trump briefly announced his intention to run for a fourth presidential term before quickly clarifying he was joking — though not before adding, “I won 3 times now, I’m gonna do it again.” The comment drew nervous laughter from the audience of journalists and political figures.
Despite the comedic tone, Trump also used the platform to tout what he called “the golden age of America,” highlighting new investment, manufacturing growth, military recruitment numbers, and falling crime rates in Washington, D.C.
An Unexpected Olive Branch
Perhaps most surprisingly, the president who has spent years criticizing mainstream media ended his speech on a conciliatory note toward the reporters in the room.
“Sometimes I don’t feel you treat me fair,” he acknowledged. “Maybe you do I don’t know I don’t feel that but sometimes you treat me very fairly.”
“I have a lot of respect for your profession,” Trump continued. “Your profession’s amazing and I just wanna thank you for having me and it’s been fun.”
He closed with a familiar campaign slogan: “We have made America great again and it’s gonna get a lot greater.”
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner traditionally features the sitting president delivering humorous remarks, often at their own expense and that of the press corps. The event has historically served as a rare moment of levity between an administration and the journalists who cover it, though Trump skipped the dinner during his first term.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/nicki-minaj-roadkill-trump-held-nothing-back-at-the-whcd