The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) will hold its rescheduled annual dinner on July 24, 2026, at the Waldorf Astoria Washington, D.C., with increased security measures and a reduced attendance of approximately 700 people, down from 2,600 at the original event in April. This change follows a shooting incident during the April dinner where the alleged gunman, Cole Allen, attempted to breach a security checkpoint but was intercepted before entering the ballroom, according to the Justice Department.
The event will implement airport-style security screening, fewer access points, and a separate entrance for guests. Electronic ticketing will replace paper invitations, allowing for better control of who enters the venue. Secret Service Director Sean Curran stated that the security measures taken during the April event were effective, as the shooter was stopped before reaching the ballroom.
The evening will honor Secret Service officer Victor Gonzales with the WHCA’s President’s Award for Exceptional Service and recognize journalists who faced criticism from the Trump administration. President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at the dinner, having missed the April event due to the evacuation. Other notable attendees include War Secretary Pete Hegseth and FBI Director Kash Patel, while First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance will not attend due to scheduling conflicts.
The dinner will begin at 8 p.m. EDT, with red-carpet arrivals and a livestream starting at 6 p.m. This marks the first time since 1972 that the event will not be held at the Hilton.