Wearing a 'Trump 2028' Hat, Trump Mentions Bidding for a Fourth Term... Atmosphere Turns Cold

Mocking Reporters as "Trump Derangement Syndrome" Patients
Reiterates Claims of Election Fraud and Announces Plan for a "Fourth" Presidential Run

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the media as "fake news" at the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) annual dinner and announced his intention to run again for the U.S. presidency. Given that the current U.S. Constitution does not allow anyone to serve more than two terms as president, his comments were interpreted as a joke, but it was reported that the atmosphere was cold.

U.S. President Donald Trump is wearing a red hat with "Trump 2028" written on it while speaking at the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) annual dinner held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Washington DC on the 24th (local time). Photo by AP Yonhap News

According to foreign media reports on the 24th (local time), President Trump claimed during the WHCA dinner held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Washington, D.C., "The media has treated me very unfairly," and added, "But they wanted me for ratings."

The WHCA annual dinner is an event held to highlight the importance of freedom of the press in the United States and to honor the achievements of members of the media. Typically, the sitting president, regardless of allies or political opponents, creates a relaxed atmosphere by making jokes connected to current issues. However, President Trump had refused to attend the dinner with the press corps from his first term up to last year. The event had previously been disrupted by an armed gunman on April 25, and this was the first time it was held again in three months.

President Trump greeted reporters who had won awards for articles critical of the administration with friendly smiles, handshakes, and seemingly kind words, but soon turned to mocking the media. Referring to the press corps, he said, "This is the largest gathering in history of people with 'Trump Derangement Syndrome,'" and added, "For some of you, it was fortunate that last time’s dinner was interrupted. What I had prepared then was going to go after you." He continued, "Tonight is ultimately about the 'fake news' media, and all of you writing, producing, and acting out stories that you award each other for."

President Trump specifically singled out Caitlin Collins, the CNN White House correspondent, saying she "won an award for fake news," and pressured her by remarking, "She never smiles. Smile." President Trump has previously been criticized for demanding Collins smile, which has been condemned as a sexist comment.

In addition, Trump addressed his political opponents such as Democrat Senator Adam Schiff and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), who are openly anti-Trump, saying, "I hate some people."

During the event, President Trump put on a red hat with "Trump 2028" emblazoned on it. He declared, "I have won the (presidential election) three times," and continued, "This is kind of a scoop—I am considering running for the presidency for a fourth time." Trump, who lost the 2020 election, once again insisted at the event that "(the second election) was a rigged election."

While former Trump administration officials responded to President Trump's remarks with applause and cheers, it was reported that members of the press corps remained silent. The Washington Post described how, as Trump mocked and belittled the appearances of female journalists and politicians, the room was "filled with mostly frozen silence" for over an hour. CNN also reported that "(President Trump’s) jokes mostly fell flat," and that his rambling speech became increasingly serious and bitter in tone.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.