President Donald Trump will once again be absent from this year’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, maintaining the pattern he followed throughout his first term. A White House official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the choice, which is consistent with the administration’s ongoing strained relationship with the press. Tensions between the White House and the media have intensified in recent years, punctuated by public disputes and shifts in protocol—most notably when the administration took over management of the press pool, disrupting longstanding media practices.
In a further sign of its combative approach, the administration has barred journalists from certain outlets, such as the Associated Press, from joining pooled events. With April 26 drawing near, the atmosphere around the dinner grows increasingly tense. The event has already faced criticism, particularly after comedian Amber Ruffin’s scheduled appearance was scrapped following backlash from Trump officials, underlining the political sensitivity surrounding the occasion.
Reports from Axios suggest that Trump’s decision to skip the event may coincide with plans for an alternative gathering—potentially on the same evening, which also marks Melania Trump’s birthday. Even White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned on Sean Spicer’s podcast that she won’t be attending, further underscoring the administration’s move away from what was once a hallmark of Washington’s media culture.
