One ABC reporter claimed Trump called him after WHCA dinner, but the President denies stating he’s ‘trying to make himself look important’

President Trump explicitly denied that he reached out to ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl to check on his well-being following the shooting near the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, The Hill reported. This public rebuttal comes more than a week after the longtime chief Washington correspondent for ABC News claimed on X that the President had called him shortly after 7:00 AM EDT the morning following the incident to ask if he was okay.

During that Monday call, the President and the reporter discussed Iranian drones and missiles fired at the United Arab Emirates, which the President noted were largely shot down. They also touched on the situation involving South Korea after Iranian forces struck a cargo ship from that nation in the Strait of Hormuz, with the President suggesting that South Korea should take some action. Despite this ongoing line of communication, the President was firm in his rejection of the narrative regarding the post-shooting phone call.

In a statement posted to his Truth Social platform, the President wrote, “Jonathan Karl, of ABC Fake News, made a statement that I called him early in the morning, the day after the assassination attempt, to ask whether or not HE was OK.” He continued, “No, this was a hit on ME, not HIM, and I didn’t make such a call, why would I do that?”

This disagreement over the phone call adds another layer of complexity to the aftermath of the April 25 shooting

The President further claimed that the reporter had actually been the one to initiate a call, which he did not answer, and that the reporter supposedly confirmed this during a subsequent interaction. He explicitly stated, “I would say that’s very dishonest reporting. He’s trying to make himself look important but, I’m not surprised, because it comes from ABC Fake News!”

The WHCA shooting forced organizers to postpone the annual black-tie dinner attended by nearly 3,000 journalists, politicians, and corporate executives. While there was significant initial doubt about whether the event could or should be held again, the sentiment among many in the media has shifted toward the idea that the dinner should be hosted again on principle. Weijia Jiang of CBS News, who serves as the current president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, informed members on Friday that the board is actively working through options for a rescheduled event.

In a memo obtained by the media, Jiang stated, “As of today, we have not made any decisions. However, I am committed to ensuring our scholars and award winners receive the recognition that is rightfully theirs, and that an attack on free speech does not cancel our annual celebration of free speech and the other freedoms protected by the First Amendment.” While organizers are planning for a follow-up event within the next 60 days, people involved in the discussions have noted that the President’s initial suggestion of a 30-day turnaround is not considered realistic.

There are significant hurdles to overcome if the dinner is to be held again. Beyond the obvious security concerns, some attendees have expressed hesitation about returning due to the trauma of the initial event. However, others are pushing for a return to normalcy. For instance, Fox News anchor John Roberts has argued that journalists should maintain their resolve, stating that for those who might be hesitant, it is time to “get some steel in your spine! Because journalists around the world die in the pursuit of press freedom.”

The shooting itself remains a serious legal matter. The suspect, 31-year-old Cole Allen, has been charged with attempting to assassinate the President as well as several federal firearms violations. During a detention hearing this past Monday, it was noted that the D.C. Jail had removed the suspect from suicide watch a day prior.

Furthermore, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, confirmed that investigators have definitively linked the bullet that struck a Secret Service agent to the alleged gunman. She stated that the suspect had every intention to kill the agent and anyone else who stood in his way as he attempted to reach the President. As the investigation continues and the association weighs its options for a future event, the tension between the administration and the press remains as palpable as ever.