On Friday night, July 25th, 2026, President Donald Trump delivered a speech at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner where he sharply criticized corporate media and other critics through a barrage of jokes. His remarks included a jab at CNN’s Kaitlin Collins, humorously confusing her with Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender influencer who partnered with Bud Light in 2023, a move that sparked boycotts and executive leave at the company.

Trump’s performance, which continued his pattern of using humor to confront critics, was met with mixed reactions. Several corporate media outlets and critics dismissed it as awkward or ineffective, while supporters praised his willingness to mock the press during the annual event, which had been rescheduled following an attempted assassination of Trump earlier in April.

In response, CNN Worldwide Chairman and CEO Mark Thompson issued a statement early Saturday defending the network’s journalists and their commitment to integrity and fair-minded reporting. Thompson emphasized that “honest, accurate journalism may sometimes irritate politicians,” but asserted CNN’s right to report without government interference remains protected under U.S. law.

Despite the sharp humor, Trump concluded his remarks on a conciliatory note, stating, “I have tremendous respect for the people in this room. Sometimes I don’t feel you treat me fair. And, you know — I used an expression and I’ve used it right from the beginning — I did this for one reason, to make America great again. We have made America great again, and it’s gonna get a lot greater.”

Sources