Trump wears 'Trump 2028' hat, jokes about extra term at rescheduled correspondents' dinner

US President Donald Trump made his first personal appearance at the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner during his current term on July 24, 2026, drawing attention by wearing a cap emblazoned with the words "Trump 2028." The event, traditionally held to celebrate press freedom, took place in Washington after being postponed by three months following an alleged assassination attempt on Trump in April. The rescheduled gathering once again became the setting for the long-running tension between the president and the assembled press corps.

During his speech, Trump repeatedly joked about the possibility of running again in the 2028 presidential election. Reports from international outlets differ, however, on whether he referred to a third or a fourth term. While France24 and TASS reported that Trump joked about a third presidential term, Al Jazeera quoted him as saying he was "running for a fourth term." These discrepancies suggest possible ambiguity in his phrasing during the speech or differences in how various outlets interpreted or translated his remarks. What is not in dispute, as several outlets including the BBC and France24 explicitly note, is that a third presidential term is barred under the US Constitution.

Beyond his jokes about a future run, Trump also used the occasion to renew sharp criticism of the journalists present. He again labeled parts of the press "fake news" and directly targeted individual reporters. According to France24, his speech was "at times rambling," appearing disjointed in parts. Geo News and Channel News Asia similarly described the evening as a mix of humor and pointed attacks on the media.

The evening carried particular significance because it marked Trump's first in-person appearance at the WHCA dinner during his current term. In previous years, he had boycotted the event, as reported by the Jakarta Post. During his remarks, he announced plans to return again next year. Several Asian outlets framed this return as a notable shift, even as Trump continued to direct sharp criticism at journalists throughout the evening.

The timing relative to the April attack also featured prominently in coverage. The dinner had been abruptly canceled following the alleged assassination attempt before being rescheduled three months later. Indian outlets such as NDTV and India Today placed particular emphasis on this timeline, describing the evening as a symbolic return to normalcy following the spring's events. However, the available reports do not provide further details about the attack itself, including its background or those responsible.

The "Trump 2028" cap that the president wore throughout his remarks was highlighted by nearly all outlets covering the event as a central visual element of the evening. It appeared intended to underscore his repeated jokes about seeking another term, despite such a run being constitutionally barred. It remains unclear whether Trump's comments were meant seriously or whether they were, in keeping with the traditionally humor-driven format of the dinner, intended as provocative entertainment.

International coverage of the evening varied by region. Western outlets such as the BBC and France24 emphasized the constitutional context and the disorganized nature of the speech, while coverage from other regions focused more heavily on specific elements such as Trump's return to the event, his attacks on the press, or the timing relative to the assassination attempt. TASS offered comparatively brief coverage of Trump's renewed remarks about a possible 2028 run, without extensive context or commentary.

Overall, the appearance adds another chapter to the long history of tension between Trump and the American press. The WHCA dinner, intended as a celebration of press freedom and a display of collegiality between politics and journalism, once again became the stage for public friction. It remains to be seen how Trump's announced plan to return next year will shape the future relationship between the president and the press.