Journalists demand White House Correspondents' Association 'speak truth to power' in new dinner with Trump
More than 500 journalists called it 'hypocritical' to honor the press with Donald Trump in attendance
By Lindsay Kornick Fox News
Published July 22, 2026 6:21pm EDT
More than 500 journalists called on the White House Correspondents' Association to "forcefully stand up" to President Donald Trump on Tuesday ahead of its rescheduled dinner.
"Our message to the White House Correspondents' Association is now more urgent: forcefully stand up for freedom of the press in front of the President, publicly defend the journalists he attacks, and vow to resist his administration’s concerted effort to undermine the First Amendment," a letter, organized by former ABC News correspondent Lisa Stark and former executive producer Ian Cameron, said.
The journalists stated that since the original White House Correspondents' Dinner, the Trump administration has only become more "egregious" in its attacks against the press and encouraged members at the event to publicly condemn the president, who will be in attendance.
"We believe it is hypocritical to celebrate the First Amendment in front of the man who relentlessly attacks it. We urge the WHCA to condemn the administration’s actions from the podium and pledge to fight all attempts by his administration to undermine this core pillar of a functioning democracy," the letter read.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, the WHCA appeared to stand by its plans to host Trump while still honoring the press.
"The White House Correspondents’ Dinner exists because the First Amendment matters most when it’s under pressure. As we continue to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, our choice to gather as journalists, newsmakers and the president in the same room is a reminder of what a free press means to this country — and why it must endure. Not for the media or the president, but for the people who depend on it," the statement read.
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