Van Jones Praises Trump’s Presence, Then Dismisses His WHCA Speech as ‘Mean and Small’

When the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner finally took place in late July, the atmosphere was already charged. The event had been pushed back after a gunman tried to get close to the president earlier in the year, and the schedule was shuffled so that the journalism awards would be handed out before Trump climbed to the podium.

During the live broadcast, CNN’s John Berman noted the change, pointing out that Trump could have walked out if he wanted to. "He’s going to have to sit through awards given to reporters who sometimes write about him in ways he doesn’t like," Berman said, before handing the mic to Van Jones.

Jones, ever the quick‑wit, offered an unexpected compliment. "You really have to give President Trump credit tonight. We were saying he’d just do his thing and run away, but he’s staying. Maybe someone will have the courage to speak up – maybe they won’t. Either way, he’s putting himself in harm’s way," he remarked, chuckling at the irony of the president watching journalists receive accolades.

But the praise was short‑lived. After Trump delivered a monologue that poked fun at the press and centered almost entirely on himself and his political opponents, Jones cut in with a stinging rebuke. "The worst thing you can say is that it just wasn’t funny," he said. "It was mean and small, and it wasn’t funny. You can be mean and small and still get a laugh – this wasn’t it."

Jones went on to criticize the president for missing a real opportunity to speak to everyday Americans. "He didn’t talk about anyone besides himself and his enemies. There are people at home who can’t afford gas, kids worrying about a nephew overseas – he could’ve mentioned them. Instead, he stuck to the usual tropes," Jones argued.

In a broader commentary that spilled over onto his X account, Jones also warned against the growing influence of far‑left activists within the Democratic Party, calling some of their ideas “regressive” and urging a return to pragmatic progressive policies like universal health care and clean air.

Whether you see him as a voice of reason or a partisan firebrand, Van Jones made it clear: staying in the room doesn’t equal delivering a speech worth remembering.