President Donald Trump attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Friday, making history as a sitting president who had previously skipped the annual event during his first term. The dinner, held at the Washington Hilton, brings together members of the press corps, celebrities, and political figures in a tradition dating back over a century.

Trump's presence at the event was notable given his longstanding adversarial relationship with much of the mainstream media. During his first term, he boycotted the dinner each year, often holding rallies elsewhere on the same night. His decision to attend this time was seen by observers across the political spectrum as a significant departure from that pattern.

The evening featured remarks and comedy, though the atmosphere was described as notably subdued. Accounts of the event suggested the usual freewheeling humor associated with the dinner was tempered by the president's presence, with some noting the traditionally satirical tone was muted compared to prior years.

The White House Correspondents' Association has long used the dinner to raise money for journalism scholarships and to celebrate the role of a free press. Trump's attendance reignited debate about the relationship between the executive branch and the journalists who cover it, a tension that has been particularly pronounced throughout his political career.