In his remarks, Trump appeared cordial and conciliatory, saying that “the second time is always better,” joking and praising the media, stating that he respects “most of them.”

“As I said three months ago, the show must go on,” Trump said.

The US president also called on Americans to respect freedom of expression.

“We resolve our differences not with bullets, but with open and vigorous debate,” Trump said. “And no deranged loser with a gun will change that. We can’t let that happen.”

Trump appeared to be in good spirits throughout the event, jokingly telling the media that “sometimes I really think some of you don’t like me.”

“This place [the dinner] “It’s really the largest group of people with ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ ever assembled,” he said. “I suspect some of you are lucky our last dinner was interrupted… I was going to come after you.”

The event was considerably scaled down from the first correspondents’ dinner: about 700 people attended, compared to more than 2,000 in April.

Security was also tighter. Several blocks around the hotel were blocked, with a strong presence of police and national guards. Guests were screened twice, with QR codes and IDs, and given wristbands.

At one point, visitors were asked to walk single file alongside two Secret Service officers holding rifles.

The suspect in the April shooting, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president of the United States.

The officers approached him just before a staircase leading to a ballroom where dinner was being held.

Other attendees Saturday night included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.