Trump Mocks White House Correspondents' Dinner After Assassination Attempt

On Friday, President Donald Trump and White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt attended the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner held at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington.

The event had been postponed from April after a man attempted to breach the security perimeter and fired a hunting rifle before being arrested.

Trump opened the dinner with jokes about the event's awards and boasted about constructing a hall at a cost much lower than that of the Federal Reserve building, according to Fox News.

He began his speech by stating, "I am very pleased to be here at the White House Correspondents' dinner... As I said three months ago, the show must go on... But just like my presidency, the second time is always better, and the third time will be better too."

During his remarks, Trump mocked attendees by suggesting they "would rather die" than appear 20 pounds heavier due to wearing bulletproof vests, as he put it.

He said, "Everyone looks their best tonight. And I know it wasn’t easy finding shoes to fit your bulletproof jackets; those jackets that many did not want to wear because they would rather die than look 20 pounds heavier."

Trump shook hands with Secret Service officer Victor Gonzalez, who had neutralized the alleged gunman during the previously canceled event. Gonzalez received the WHCA's "President’s Award for Distinguished Service" in recognition of his role in thwarting the assassination attempt.

Praising Gonzalez, Trump said, "He put himself in direct danger and stood his ground until the attacker was stopped," expressing gratitude to the U.S. Secret Service personnel.

Officials had reported that Gonzalez confronted the suspect as he tried to enter the event hall armed with a rifle and continued engaging even after his bulletproof vest was struck by gunfire.

In his speech, the president addressed various domestic and foreign issues, including Iran and the internal elections.

Trump also joked about Robert Kennedy Jr. in relation to the WHCA dinner menu, referencing the controversy surrounding the Secretary of Health and Wildlife.

He said, "I hope everyone enjoyed the delicious beef tenderloin, and I want you all to know that Bobby Kennedy personally ran over the cow with his car, butchered it, and brought it here for you to eat tonight; so it’s very fresh."

He continued joking, "Bobby also suggested his favorite side dish, which was roadkill male raccoon meat run over by cars. But we declined that."

Trump teased White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt, saying, "I know Caroline works hard. This place really has the largest gathering ever of people with (Trump Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)."

He added, "You don’t realize how lucky you are. When I leave, you will all go bankrupt. That’s the truth. When I’m not here, you will go bankrupt. There will be no one to cover the news... no one ever cares about others."

He concluded his speech by saying, "I have great respect for those in this room. Sometimes I feel you don’t treat me fairly. Or maybe you do. I don’t know, I don’t feel that way. But sometimes you treat me very fairly, and I have great respect for your profession. Your profession is wonderful. And I want to thank you for hosting me."