From Ballrooms to Briefing Rooms: Bowtie Press Conference Reflects Changes in US Political Environment
On April 25, a shooting incident occurred during the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner in Washington, leading to the evacuation of President Trump and others. Following the incident, President Trump held a press conference, commending the professionalism of journalists. This event highlights the evolving political landscape in the United States.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 02:23
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 02:31 (8 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 27, 2026 at 03:35 (1h 3m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Liao Han-Yuan, New York, April 26 exclusive report) The White House Correspondents' Association held its annual dinner on April 25. The event, where the U.S. President, cabinet, and congressional dignitaries gathered, dramatically unfolded like a Hollywood thriller before live cameras. Trump and journalists, dressed in "formal attire," attended a post-attack press conference at night, a surreal transformation reflecting changes in the American political environment.
The White House Correspondents' Association annually hosts a dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel, inviting political leaders such as the President, cabinet officials, and members of Congress, as well as media executives, business magnates, White House correspondents, and Hollywood stars. The association raises funds through table reservations to establish scholarships, supporting students aspiring to enter journalism, making it an annual grand event in Washington's political, business, and media circles.
During the event, the President, prominent hosts, and journalists temporarily set aside their usual adversarial roles as interviewers and interviewees, openly mocking and thanking each other. In a relaxed atmosphere, this helped ease the tense relationship between politics and media, creating many memorable quotes. However, the shooting incident on April 25 cast a shadow over the annual event from then on.
Although the journalists and media executives present were accustomed to grand events, before the activity officially began, suspected gunshots were heard outside. Security personnel armed with automatic rifles and long guns quickly entered. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and cabinet officials hastily left under escort. Journalists and media/business executives, dressed in evening gowns and tuxedos, ducked under tables.
Weijia Jiang, Chair of the White House Correspondents' Association and a Chinese-American reporter for CBS, was evidently unaware that the suspected shooter outside had already begun actions and was being subdued by Secret Service. She instinctively announced that the event would continue. However, with the President and First Lady leaving, and a large number of heavily armed Secret Service agents appearing in every corner, the scene resembled a Hollywood gunfight. The dinner quickly turned into a large-scale reporting site for professional journalists.
This presidential security incident rapidly spread across the U.S. and globally via media and social media live broadcasts.
John Harris, founding editor-in-chief and international editor-in-chief of the online political media Politico, wrote in his column that the Washington Hilton Hotel is massive, and its ballroom is also large. For a long time, it has not been an easy place to maintain the security of dignitaries. Former President Ronald Reagan was attacked outside the hotel in March 1981, and Trump had previously faced two planned assassination attempts.
"The White House Correspondents' Dinner combines journalism, celebrity, and a relaxed format, but in an era of angry and passionate politics, it now seems out of step with the times. The weekend event was surreal," Harris wrote.
After the incident, Trump, along with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, and other officials, held a press conference that night in the White House briefing room, all still wearing black bowties.
Trump said: "I don't want to think too much about it. I've lived a normal life in the past, but it's a dangerous life. I can face it appropriately, and this situation can be handled. Honestly, I wasn't scared."
He rarely praised the journalists who were also formally dressed and reporting, saying, "You have consistently reported with reason, and I have also seen unprofessional ones. You are very sensible."
Since his campaign, Trump has faced several potentially fatal threats of violence. On the evening of the 25th, White House correspondents and officials were unexpectedly and temporarily moved from the hotel ballroom to their usual workplace. Inter-departmental security agencies are still confirming the motive of the suspected shooter, Cole Allen, but from White House officials to journalists, everyone experienced a surreal and shocking unforgettable night. (Editor: Ho Hung-Ju) 1150427
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(Central News Agency reporter Liao Han-Yuan, New York, April 26 exclusive report) The White House Correspondents' Association held its annual dinner on April 25. The event, where the U.S. President, cabinet, and congressional dignitaries gathered, dramatically unfolded like a Hollywood thriller before live cameras. Trump and journalists, dressed in "formal attire," attended a post-attack press conference at night, a surreal transformation reflecting changes in the American political environment.
The White House Correspondents' Association annually hosts a dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel, inviting political leaders such as the President, cabinet officials, and members of Congress, as well as media executives, business magnates, White House correspondents, and Hollywood stars. The association raises funds through table reservations to establish scholarships, supporting students aspiring to enter journalism, making it an annual grand event in Washington's political, business, and media circles.
During the event, the President, prominent hosts, and journalists temporarily set aside their usual adversarial roles as interviewers and interviewees, openly mocking and thanking each other. In a relaxed atmosphere, this helped ease the tense relationship between politics and media, creating many memorable quotes. However, the shooting incident on April 25 cast a shadow over the annual event from then on.
Although the journalists and media executives present were accustomed to grand events, before the activity officially began, suspected gunshots were heard outside. Security personnel armed with automatic rifles and long guns quickly entered. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and cabinet officials hastily left under escort. Journalists and media/business executives, dressed in evening gowns and tuxedos, ducked under tables.
Weijia Jiang, Chair of the White House Correspondents' Association and a Chinese-American reporter for CBS, was evidently unaware that the suspected shooter outside had already begun actions and was being subdued by Secret Service. She instinctively announced that the event would continue. However, with the President and First Lady leaving, and a large number of heavily armed Secret Service agents appearing in every corner, the scene resembled a Hollywood gunfight. The dinner quickly turned into a large-scale reporting site for professional journalists.
This presidential security incident rapidly spread across the U.S. and globally via media and social media live broadcasts.
John Harris, founding editor-in-chief and international editor-in-chief of the online political media Politico, wrote in his column that the Washington Hilton Hotel is massive, and its ballroom is also large. For a long time, it has not been an easy place to maintain the security of dignitaries. Former President Ronald Reagan was attacked outside the hotel in March 1981, and Trump had previously faced two planned assassination attempts.
"The White House Correspondents' Dinner combines journalism, celebrity, and a relaxed format, but in an era of angry and passionate politics, it now seems out of step with the times. The weekend event was surreal," Harris wrote.
After the incident, Trump, along with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, and other officials, held a press conference that night in the White House briefing room, all still wearing black bowties.
Trump said: "I don't want to think too much about it. I've lived a normal life in the past, but it's a dangerous life. I can face it appropriately, and this situation can be handled. Honestly, I wasn't scared."
He rarely praised the journalists who were also formally dressed and reporting, saying, "You have consistently reported with reason, and I have also seen unprofessional ones. You are very sensible."
Since his campaign, Trump has faced several potentially fatal threats of violence. On the evening of the 25th, White House correspondents and officials were unexpectedly and temporarily moved from the hotel ballroom to their usual workplace. Inter-departmental security agencies are still confirming the motive of the suspected shooter, Cole Allen, but from White House officials to journalists, everyone experienced a surreal and shocking unforgettable night. (Editor: Ho Hung-Ju) 1150427
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "Firsthand News" APP to get the latest news in real-time.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.