President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he plans to attend the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington next month.
"In a sign of Strength and Fortitude, it was just announced that The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which violently ended rather abruptly on April 25th, will be rescheduled to July 24th," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "This announcement is a very good thing."
He has agreed to deliver a speech at the gala, Trump said.
The annual dinner was cut short in April after a 31-year-old armed man stormed a security checkpoint at the event at the Washington Hilton hotel while the president was in attendance. The suspect did not reach the ballroom, but shots were fired during the incident.
A security official was struck by gunfire. A bulletproof vest prevented serious injury.
Trump and other members of the US government delegation were evacuated and taken to safety, prompting the early end of the event and sparking a debate over security arrangements.
According to Trump, the venue this time is a different hotel in the US capital. It is the Waldorf Astoria, located just a few streets away from the White House.
Trump attended the original event on April 25, marking the first time he had taken part in the dinner as president.
During his previous term, he boycotted the annual gala hosted by the White House Correspondents' Association, an organization he frequently criticized as part of what he has called the media's role as "enemies of the people."
The association, which represents journalists covering the White House, has hosted the dinner for more than a century. The event traditionally brings together journalists, government officials and other prominent guests, with the sitting president typically serving as the target of jokes and satire.
"I am proud to announce we will host another dinner to be held in Washington, DC on Friday, July 24th," White House Correspondents' Association president Weijia Jiang said in a statement earlier on Tuesday.
"Rescheduling was not automatic. It was a choice that the WHCA board made after thoughtful consideration and input from our members."
