Trump's Absence Sparks Defiant Message at WH Correspondents' Dinner: We're Not 'The Enemy of the People'

At the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner, journalists delivered a passionate speech defending their profession during this unusual yearly gathering — one that departed from custom by excluding both the president and a comedian — stating resolutely, "We are not enemies of the state."

"Our duty does not lie in affiliating ourselves with any single political party or gender, but rather in serving the citizens of our nation with honesty and commitment," stated WHCA President Eugene Daniels during his speech at the Washington Hilton hotel on Saturday night. The occasion was the 111th annual dinner where representatives from the media, government officials, along with a few celebrities gathered together.

Daniels emphasized their commitment to precision and took the weighty duty of maintaining public trust very seriously. He clarified that they do not operate as opponents, stating this amidst applause. This seemed to contradict comments previously made by President Trump, as he appeared to push back against those statements.

"What we are not is the opposition to the people," Daniels stated, without directly mentioning the president.

Trump has repeatedly referred to the "phony news media" as the "enemies of the people."

Daniels made these comments as Trump — who skipped the event during his entire first term — chose to break with tradition yet again by not attending the black-tie affair.

"For decades, presidents from all parts of the political spectrum have dressed up and joined us," Daniels from MSNBC informed the thousands of guests gathered in the Hilton’s ballroom.

I want to clarify one point: We do not host presidents of the United States at these events because they are our guests; rather, we include them as part of what we're doing here. Our purpose isn't to flatter them or seek their approval," he went on. "We also do not limit invitations solely to those presidents who claim to support journalists or assert themselves as champions of the First Amendment and an open press.

"We urge them to remember their role, and we call upon them to show that those of us who have dedicated ourselves to journalistic public service do not pursue this path for luxuries like rides on Air Force One or strolls through the Oval Office," Daniels stated, eliciting applause from the crowd. He then presented a series of video excerpts featuring former presidents—from ex-President Reagan all the way to ex-President Obama—appearing at earlier White House Correspondents' Association dinners.

Apart from Trump not being present, Daniels admitted that Saturday’s dinner would "have a slightly different feel," since they decided against having a traditional headline act this year. The comedian Amber Ruffin was not scheduled to perform. been tapped As the evening's entertainment act in February, prior to the WHCA later announced that it would no longer be “featuring a comedic performance this year.”

The event also took place at a time of heightened tensions between much of the media and the Trump White House.

The White House took control from the WHCA in February over which outlets are included in its press pool, including banning The Associated Press (AP) over its style regarding the “Gulf of America,” Trump’s preferred name for the Gulf of Mexico.

A federal judge subsequently instructed the Trump administration to reinstate the policy. AP’s access to White House spaces.

On Saturday, when AP reporters Zeke Miller and Aamer Madhani received an accolade for their newsworthy reporting under strict deadlines, everyone in attendance stood up to applaud them with a resounding standing ovation.

"This has been a tough few months for AP’s White House staff, so this really means a great deal to our complete team," Madhani stated as he mentioned some of his coworkers' names.

Although usually attended by a blend of reporters, politicians, and celebrities, this year’s event seemed to have fewer entertainment personalities and political representatives present.

Governor Wes Moore (D) from Maryland, former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) were among the notable present and past political figures spotted at the event. Several celebrities from Hollywood were also noticed during the weekend-long celebrations associated with the dinner, such as Jason Isaacs from "The White Lotus," Tim Daly, actress Lynda Carter known for her role in "Wonder Woman," and actor Michael Chiklis.

Axios’s Alex Thompson received an accolade for comprehensive excellence in covering the White House. his reporting which showed that ex-President Biden’s cognitive decline was affecting his capability to perform his duties effectively.

“I, along with others, overlooked much of this narrative. Some individuals have lost trust in us as a result. Consequently, we share part of the blame for the low confidence in the media,” Thompson stated, receiving applause.

Thompson stated, "I emphasize this point because admitting mistakes fosters trust, whereas becoming defensive about them diminishes it even more."

"Thanks to the association’s leaders for your consistent defense of the First Amendment, both now and at all times," he stated.

"Daniels informed the crowd that everyone has both the capability and responsibility to advocate for what they believe is correct," he said.

Everybody has both the ability and duty to oppose governmental intrusion into a media that operates freely.

Alex Gangitano contributed.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This content must not be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed without permission.

To stay updated with the newest information on news, weather, sports, and live videos, visit The Hill.