Moments ago: Jakie Heinrich, the future president of the White House Correspondents Association, at the association’s annual dinner, while welcoming Donald Trump, said:

“Thank you for the president’s participation in tonight’s ceremony, and we appreciate his involvement in this tradition; a tradition that recognizes the essential role of free media in our democracy. Thank you, President Trump.”

He then, referring to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump last April and the importance of free media, added:

“The attempt to assassinate President Trump last April was a painful reminder that democracy is not immune to violence and that the freedoms we value should never be taken for granted. Political violence should have no place in America.”