Donald Trump’s first White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner speech as president was reported to have received a muted response, with many rally-style remarks and personal attacks on journalists failing to draw laughs. The appearance matters because the dinner traditionally allows presidents and the press to exchange humour, whereas the account described a strained atmosphere and some guests leaving after his hour-long address.

The rescheduled event took place on Friday at the smaller Waldorf-Astoria ballroom after an alleged attempted security breach postponed April’s dinner. Trump acknowledged that at least one joke had not landed, while awards beforehand included recognition for Wall Street Journal reporters who investigated Jeffrey Epstein; cabinet members and senior advisers, including Pete Hegseth, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Stephen Miller, attended.