Trump accepts WHCD invite July 24

President Donald Trump said on June 2 that he will attend and speak at the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on July 24, reviving a high-profile Washington event that was postponed after an April shooting. Trump said in a Truth Social post that WHCA President Weijia Jiang invited him to appear. He added that the dinner will be held at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, the former Trump International Hotel. The White House Correspondents’ Association separately said the new event will take place with tighter security after gunfire disrupted the original dinner in April. ### What exactly did Trump say about the dinner? Trump said on Tuesday that he had accepted Jiang’s invitation to attend the July 24 dinner and would speak at the event. Reuters, Bloomberg and NBC reported that he confirmed the decision in a social media post. Trump also signaled he did not plan to soften his remarks. (usnews.com) Bloomberg reported that he wrote, “I was asked to be there, and speak,” and added, “I’m not sure I can be nice.” Alabama Media Group similarly reported that Trump hinted he might refrain from “nasty” remarks, but not fully tone down his appearance. ### Why is the dinner being held in July instead of the spring? The White House Correspondents’ Association said on June 2 that the annual dinner was being rescheduled after gunfire interrupted the April 25 event. In a message posted on the WHCA website, Jiang said the disruption “clarified” the group’s mission and that the association would move ahead with a summer dinner. (bloomberg.com) Politico, CBS News and Reuters reported that the original gala was postponed after a shooting at or near the venue during the April event, prompting the association to revisit security plans. Bloomberg reported the July event will have tighter safety measures. ### Where will the rescheduled event take place? The Waldorf Astoria in Washington will host the July 24 dinner, according to Trump’s post and multiple news reports. (whca.press) Bloomberg noted the hotel is the property formerly known as the Trump International Hotel. The White House Correspondents’ Association said the event will be a smaller summer gathering with enhanced safety measures. (politico.com) Other outlets, including CBS News and Deadline, reported similar details on the revised format. ### What about the executive order tied to immigrant-related bank scrutiny? The executive order cited in social media posts was not signed on June 1. (bloomberg.com) The Federal Register shows Trump signed Executive Order 14406, “Restoring Integrity to America’s Financial System,” on May 19, and it was published on May 22. (whca.press) The White House fact sheet said the order is intended to protect the financial system from illicit activity, strengthen customer identification requirements for financial institutions and address risks tied to providing services to “non-work authorized illegal aliens.” Reuters did not report any new June 1 signing tied to the dinner announcement, and coverage of the order in later reports described it as an earlier action. (federalregister.gov) ### What can be verified about the June 1 social posts? A June 1 social-media post amplified claims about both the dinner and the financial-system order, but the verifiable announcements landed on different dates. The WHCA and major news outlets published the rescheduled dinner announcement on June 2, while the executive order was signed on May 19 and published on May 22. (whitehouse.gov) The next concrete milestone is July 24, when Trump and the White House Correspondents’ Association are scheduled to appear at the rescheduled dinner in Washington. The WHCA said additional safety details will govern the event. (whca.press)