White House Correspondents' Dinner Returns With Smaller Crowds and Heightened Security
The White House Correspondents' Dinner is set to take place on July 24, 2026, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C., after being cut short in April due to an attempted attack. The event has been moved from the larger Washington Hilton ballroom to a smaller venue, with attendance dropping from an estimated 2,600 to approximately 700. Security measures have been significantly increased, including airport-style screening, fewer access points, unique QR code ticketing, and restricted street access. The dinner comes amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the press, highlighted by the Justice Department's recent withdrawal of subpoenas against New York Times journalists. President Trump is scheduled to speak at the event, which will also honor journalists who have drawn his ire, including Tyler Pager, Kaitlan Collins, and Wall Street Journal reporters. This marks the first time since 1972 the dinner has not been held at the Hilton.
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