Trump set to make ‘unifying yet vicious’ speech at Correspondents’ Dinner 2.0 after shooter horror

President Donald Trump used his first speech at the White House Correspondents' Dinner to deliver a mix of praise and pointed mockery aimed at journalists and political rivals, in an event that had been billed in advance by the White House as partly "vicious". The dinner, traditionally a moment of light-hearted ribbing between the president and the press corps, instead became a platform for Trump to settle scores publicly, drawing both laughter and criticism for the sharpness of his remarks.

Among those targeted were California Governor Gavin Newsom, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, musician Bruce Springsteen and television personality Rosie O'Donnell. Trump also singled out incoming White House Correspondents' Association president Jacqui Heinrich, a Fox News reporter, calling her "nasty" before criticising her husband, a Republican congressman, over a vote against him. Reports indicate Trump additionally floated the idea of a "fourth term" during the speech, which came in the wake of a recent shooting incident that had heightened security concerns around the event.