At the White House Correspondents Association dinner on Saturday, Washington’s political and media elites observe their yearly truce, which lasts only a few hours. President Joe Biden will be the target of jokes and will respond with his own.
The ceremony, which is a significant event on the social calendar of the US capital, is held in the same Hilton Hotel where Ronald Reagan was shot and narrowly avoided death by John Hinckley Jr. in 1981 as he was leaving a speech to trade unions.
The dinner tradition had begun to dwindle; Donald Trump had first boycotted it, and later it was completely abandoned for COVID-19.
Even the previous year’s event was relatively low-key due to thorough Covid testing, regular mask use, and many people staying away.
Hundreds of people were kept away after tickets ran out, according to Keith, a journalist for NPR radio.
“Covid is over. People are squeezing past one another to enter a ballroom that can hold 2,600 people this year, in contrast to last year when they were a little nervous.
Vice President Kamala Harris is one of those additional guests, appearing on stage with 80-year-old Joe Biden the same week they both announced their bids for reelection in 2024.
The return of a custom that was last observed in 2016, at the last supper before Trump took office, will be made possible by the presence of both the president and vice president.
On Saturday, there will be a swarm of celebrities from Hollywood, officials from all political parties in Washington, and journalists from every media outlet imaginable.
Like in years past, a well-known comic will perform; this time it’s “Daily Show” correspondent Roy Wood Jr.
a very serious joke –
The event is intended to commemorate the First Amendment of the constitution, which protects free speech and the press. But jokes frequently make the news headlines.
The two characteristics complement one another, according to Wood, who was speaking to CBS News.
Many jokes will be made about Biden as well as the reporters who cover him, if previous editions are any indication. According to polls, fewer than half of Americans support Democrats, while many Americans have little affection for the media, which makes them easy targets.
Given the new election cycle and the fact that Trump and other Republicans are considering presidential bids, Wood is also likely to make jabs at members of Congress.
Biden will have his own slot and the chance to demonstrate his ability to handle pressure.
He might have been practising on Friday, making his signature age-related jokes, albeit they were more dad jokes than edgy late-night TV material.
In reference to a statement made by President Dwight Eisenhower 65 years prior, Biden said, “I wasn’t there,” during a ceremony honouring the Air Force football team.
He paused for the chuckles before continuing, “No matter what the press says.”
