“If President Trump changes his mind, he is welcome to attend the dinner,” association President Jeff Mason said in an email, though he declined to comment further on their preparations.
Trump’s decision to skip the dinner came in the midst of his escalating feud with many in the media, who he has deemed “fake news” and “the enemy of the American people.” Washington reporters are not counting on Trump’s reversal, but the upheaval has delayed announcements about how the association plans to cope with the first dinner in 36 years without the commander-in-chief.
There’s no indication yet of who, if anyone, will stand in for the president as guest of honor. Traditionally, along with members of the WHCA board, the president, first lady, the vice president, White House press secretary and the dinner’s entertainer sit at the head table on the stage. Any other administration officials come at the invitation of media companies who purchase tables for the event.
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