Trump condemns violence, slams press at White House Correspondents' Dinner (axios.com)

President Trump used his speech at Friday's rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association Dinner to condemn the political violence that postponed the annual event — and in the next breath attack and insult the gathered press. The big picture: The president opened with jokes to the hundreds of assembled journalists and even made a little fun of himself, in a speech that started light — before descending into a litany of familiar complaints about reporters and prominent Democrats. Zoom out: "In America we do not yield to political violence," Trump told event attendees, referencing the gunman who opened fire outside the ballroom where he and hundreds of others were gathered for the previously scheduled dinner in April. "In this country we believe in freedom of speech, we settle our differences not with bullets but with open and vigorous debate, and no deranged loser with a gun will ever change that. We can't let that ever happen," Trump said. A Secret Service agent was wounded during the shooting, and the dinner was called off, though Trump insisted it be rescheduled . Zoom in: This year marked the first time that Trump has attended a White House Correspondents' Dinner as president, and he engaged in the long-standing tradition of poking fun at the media and his administration. "It's great to be back as a place (I) know very well because I built it," Trump said, referencing the Waldorf Astoria's former life as Trump International Hotel. "I'm very proud of it because I built it for $2.9 billion less than the Federal Reserve building." "Everyone is looking really good tonight, and I know it's not easy finding shoes to match your bulletproof vest. Many people would rather die than look 20 pounds heavier, you know that, right? They put one on me. I said, 'Are you sure? I'm not wearing this.'" Between the lines: The speech wasn't without barbs and airing of some familiar grievances by the president, who discussed the need for the White House ballroom, complained about performers like Bruce Springsteen and Jimmy Kimmel, and warned guests not to believe any "fake news" about Iran. He attacked prominent reporters by name, particularly going after CNN's Kaitlan Collins (demanding she smile more) and Jake Tapper (who he called "Fake Tapper"). CNN released a statement during Trump's speech defending its reporters, writing in part: "Honest, accurate journalism may sometimes irritate politicians, but our right to report and present that reporting without government interference is fully protected by the U.S. Constitution." Trump also cracked a joke about a "once-feared and powerful regime" being toppled and now being run by "a gay dictator facing internal divisions" — adding "I for one wish Bari Weiss all the best at CBS News." The line got only a muted response. 💭 Thought bubble, from Axios media correspondent Sara Fischer: The CBS jokes aside, Trump's repeated praise of Paramount chair David Ellison may complicate life for the company, which is currently