President Donald Trump has once again refused to attend the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, reigniting his long-standing feud with the press corps. The event, scheduled for April 26, has historically been a glittering night of jokes and political jabs — but under Trump, it’s become a symbol of a deeper divide between the White House and the media.

Trump’s decision follows years of tension with the WHCA, which he’s accused of pushing “left-wing activism disguised as journalism.” His administration has already barred certain outlets, including the Associated Press, from pool coverage and criticized event hosts for “hate-filled rhetoric.” Meanwhile, new polling cited by CNN’s Harry Enten reveals a stunning political shift: Republicans have overtaken Democrats as the party most seen as caring for ordinary Americans — a reversal of decades-long trends. For Trump, skipping the dinner isn’t avoidance; it’s strategy — a public rejection of an establishment he claims stopped speaking for the people long ago.