There’s one thing you can say about Donald J. Trump with absolute certainty: he doesn’t sip champagne with people who hate his guts. For nearly a decade now, the media elite have scrambled to humiliate, outwit, and outmaneuver him—and every time, he flips the script.

Remember the smug roasts at the 2011 Correspondents’ Dinner? That viral moment of ridicule sparked a political resurrection, and Trump has been ten steps ahead ever since. While CNN panels rant about “norms” and “decorum,” Trump is packing stadiums and redefining presidential communication—without ever asking the press pool for permission.

So, it shouldn’t shock anyone that Trump isn’t putting on a tux this April 26. For the fifth time, the former and current president will skip the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD)—opting, once again, not to play footsie with the people who’ve spent a decade accusing him of everything short of arson.

This isn’t avoidance. This is principle.

A dinner built on elitism dressed as journalism

From ‘The Post Millennial’:
President Donald Trump will not attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner scheduled for April 26, marking yet another year he has opted out of the annual event.

Trump previously declined to attend all four dinners held during his first term in office. His continued absence, first reported by Axios, highlights the strained relationship between his administration and the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA).

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner used to mean something—decades ago when it was an opportunity for transparency and rapport between the presidency and the press. But in today’s hyper-partisan media ecosystem, the WHCD is more of an Instagram party for beltway insiders than a serious journalistic endeavor.

Why would a sitting president bother showing up when he knows what’s waiting? Sarcasm, contempt, and a couple underhanded jabs tucked between bad comedy routines and self-congratulatory awards. Trump skipped every WHCD of his first term, and now, in a similar move worthy of a standing ovation, he’s doing it again.

They wanted respect after mocking him

Let’s talk hypocrisy. The WHCA (White House Correspondents’ Association) wants to project an image of neutrality and respect—but even they realized inviting openly biased comedians like Amber Ruffin was a flop. She called the Trump administration “full of murderers” (yes, really), and only after outcry did the WHCA drop her.

Was this a sudden turn toward responsible journalism? Not quite. The WHCA statement claimed it was “to ensure the focus is not on the politics of division,” but let’s not pretend that horse hasn’t left the barn. Any organization trying to play the “both sides” card after allowing four years of insult-laden monologues isn’t fooling anyone.

The shift from legacy media to freedom platforms

In a move that perfectly symbolizes the moment, Trump’s current White House has prioritized direct communication with Americans through platforms like podcast interviews, town halls, and livestreams. While the WHCA whines about not getting first dibs on pool rotations, conservatives are tuning in to Trump’s thoughts on Truth Social or catching Karoline Leavitt sparring with the press on Sean Spicer’s podcast.

When asked why she wouldn’t attend the dinner either, Leavitt didn’t mince words: “This is a group of journalists who’ve been covering the White House for decades… They started this organization because the presidents at the time were not doing enough press conferences. I don’t think we have that problem anymore under this president.”

It’s a cultural shift the press doesn’t want to admit. The gatekeepers have lost the keys—and the invited guests no longer feel the need to attend their banquets.

Narrative control = job security in the media class

It’s not just about parties and puff-pieces—it’s also about power. Take the Associated Press, for example. They ran afoul of the Trump administration for refusing to adopt the phrase “Gulf of America” in place of “Gulf of Mexico.” Sounds petty? Maybe. But for an administration that values framing and patriotism, resisting linguistic rebranding was enough to get AP benched from White House event access.

The WHCA didn’t interpret that as a conflict of interest or a style guide turf war. No—they cried foul, accusing the Trump team of using access as leverage. In truth, it was the media elite getting a taste of being outmaneuvered—and they hated every moment of it.

The press wants to dictate the terms, the coverage, and the definitions. When conservatives finally fight back, suddenly they’re accused of stifling the free press. But maybe—just maybe—the press isn’t supposed to be above accountability, either.

Key Takeaways

• Donald Trump once again declines to attend a glamorized media event he sees as partisan posturing.
• The White House Correspondents’ Dinner has become more about prestige and less about press accountability.
• Trump’s direct, unfiltered communication highlights declining trust in elitist gatekeepers.
• Media outrage over lost influence reveals its desperation for narrative control.

Source: The Post Millennial