New Delhi: Ahead of Washington’s most high-profile annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner 2026, an unusual protest takes over the city as demonstrators project a series of images and documents linking US President Donald Trump and late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein onto the facade of the Washington Hilton.
A large crowd gathered across the street, watching the visuals unfold on the exterior of the building. The visuals included photographs and documents connected to Epstein and the audio reportedly featuring recordings of his emails.
Washington Hilton, where Trump will soon be arriving for the White House correspondents’ dinner. End the cover-up. pic.twitter.com/PmGZlhtRAv
— Led By Donkeys (@ByDonkeys) April 25, 2026
What value does the Dinner hold?
The marquee event brings together journalists, political leaders and public figures who come under the US presidency. This year’s dinner carries added weight as this will mark Trump’s first appearance at the event while still in office. The US President is well known for his combative stance toward the media and his repeated denunciations of what he calls ‘fake news’ press.
Trump last attended the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in 2011 as a guest, but this time, as he is set to attend the event, it has sparked both surprise and intense interest in Washington. Even in his recent post on the Truth Social platform, he said, “The Press was extraordinarily bad to me.”
Dinner details and Trump relationship with media
Well, the annual dinner is organised by the White House Correspondents’ Association, and the sitting president has traditionally been part of the longstanding celebration of press freedom. Every serving president has attended the event except Trump, who skipped it throughout his first term and in 2025.
Over the years, Trump’s relationship with the media has not been good as he has filed lawsuits against news organisations and even personally targeted the journalists. His administration has also limited access, including a ban on the Associated Press from White House press pool.
Though associations call to invite him despite his attacks have triggered backlash within media houses. Hundreds of journalists have signed an open letter to confront the US President over his administration’s restrictions on the press.
With protests lighting up the city, Trump finally taking his seat, and a room full of journalists ready for a confrontation all eyes are on the Washington Hilton.