US President Donald Trump declared on 25 July that he had “given up” on traditional news organisations in favour of social media, telling journalists at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner that they would struggle to hold audiences once he leaves office. The remarks, delivered before hundreds of reporters and media executives at the White House, blended sharp criticism of mainstream outlets with self-congratulatory praise for his digital reach.

Trump on Social Media and Press Dependence

“I gave up on traditional press,” Trump told the assembled press corps, before adding, “I’m number one on TikTok.” He argued that his social media strategy had proved more effective than relying on conventional media coverage, claiming enormous online engagement across platforms.

Trump also contended that news organisations depended heavily on him for readership and television ratings. “You people have no idea how lucky you are,” he said. “When I’m gone, you’re all going to be broke.” He added, “There’s not going to be anybody to report on. Nobody gives a damn about anybody else.”

The Phone Number Anecdote

Trump offered an unusual account of how he now manages press access, saying he had noticed reporters were no longer reaching out to him after he returned to the White House. His solution, he said, was to personally distribute his mobile number to journalists.

“I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to give the press my phone number.’” He quickly followed that with a punchline: “That was the stupidest thing I ever did.” According to Trump, reporters now contact him constantly — “every 3.7 minutes,” he claimed. He encouraged journalists to identify themselves when calling, saying anonymous calls were ones he could not act on.

On Press Freedom and Fair Coverage

Despite his repeated criticisms throughout the evening, Trump insisted he was a supporter of press freedom. “I hope all of you know that I believe in the free press more than anyone in this room does,” he said, before immediately adding, “Maybe not.”

He described himself as “the most open and transparent president in history,” contrasting his approach with that of former President Joe Biden, whom he claimed had rarely answered reporters’ questions. Trump acknowledged that direct engagement with the press, even when adversarial, improved coverage outcomes. “I always find that when you don’t speak to the press, you always get a bad story,” he said. “When you do speak to the press, you have a shot at getting a good story.”

He also struck a conciliatory note at moments, saying he had “tremendous respect” for journalists in the room, even as he maintained that coverage of him was often unfair. “Sometimes I don’t feel you treat me fair. But sometimes you treat me very fairly… And I have a lot of respect for your profession.”

Other Highlights from the Evening

Earlier in the evening, Trump joked that he received “93 per cent negative publicity” and took aim at several television personalities. He congratulated CNN’s Caitlin Collins on receiving a journalism award.

In her closing remarks before introducing Trump, outgoing White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang defended the First Amendment, saying criticism of the media was legitimate but warning that efforts to undermine press freedom threatened the constitutional foundations of American democracy.

The dinner, a traditionally light-hearted Washington institution, this year carried an undercurrent of tension between the administration and the press corps — a dynamic that has defined much of Trump’s relationship with mainstream media across both his terms.