What the news gods are that President Biden was scheduled to give a funny speech the same week that cable TV stars Tucker Carlson and Don Lemmon decided they should be fired. It certainly has been generous in providing the news media with fresh material.
Biden will attend the annual White House Correspondents’ Club dinner, where the president will present a stand-up cartoon once a year. Usually skewers him — most notably Fox News. Fired Mr. Carlson a few days later on monday Settlement of $787.5 million defamation lawsuit.
“Last year your favorite Fox News reporter was able to attend the ‘dinner’ because they were fully vaccinated and boosted,” Biden said. Correspondence to coronavirus strategy. “This year, with that $787 million settlement, they’re here because they couldn’t say no to a free meal.”
“And hell, I call Fox honest, fair, and true,” he said to the crowd gathered in Washington’s cavernous ballroom and the national television audience watching at home. “But I might get sued for defamation.” When some groaned, he joked, “It’s nothing compared to what they did to me.”
Biden also targeted CNN.Just 5 days after a financially struggling network Fired Mr. Lemmon After commenting that women in their 50s are past their prime, the president said: Do they really have $787 million? Wow! ‘”
At another point, Mr. Biden attacked both Fox and CNN, deflecting questions about his age while seeking re-election. “You might think I don’t like Rupert Murdoch,” the 80-year-old president said of the 92-year-old Fox impresario. How can you hate a man who tries
“Are you calling me old?” Biden continued. “I call it seasoned. You say I’m old? You say I’m smart. You say I’m up the hill?” I would say that he is a man in his prime.
He said age is a legitimate issue. “It’s on everyone’s mind,” he said. “And for all of you, the New York Times headline: ‘Biden’s aging is a big problem. But Trump isn’t.
The dinner came at the end of a turbulent week for the media as chatty classes descended on Washington for their annual ritual of chatting, drinking and gossiping. ‘s incessant drum beat, but what got everyone talking was the dismissal of two famous, billionaire cable personalities.
Two years after the pandemic, dinner has burgeoned into an even more spectacular spectacle. Like a wealthy family’s wedding, it’s replicated in multiple events over five days, with the first pre-dinner party and reception starting Wednesday night and the final post-dinner brunch scheduled for Sunday.
Politico playbooka newsletter that obsessively covers all of Washington, included a “spot” guest list for 14 events on Friday night, 24 hours before dinner itself. It was hosted by established news startups including Crooked Media, Axios and Semafor.
A late-night party hosted by the United Talent Agency, which represents many TV newscasters and correspondents, generated the most interest. The client, Mr. Lemon, appeared ready to mingle with a crowd that included actress Cobie Smulders, California governor Gavin Newsom and White House press secretary-turned-MSNBC host Jen Psaki. I was. At one point, CNN chief executive Chris Licht, who was responsible for Mr. Lemmon’s ouster, was also at the party, though it was unclear if the two found each other.
Saturday night’s hottest ticket was an afterparty at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, hosted by media mogul Byron Allen and news website The Grio. The event was to honor his CBS News Gale His King, and was scheduled to feature Diana Ross. A brunch hosted by CNN and Politico marked the end of the festivities on Sunday.
The Wall Street Journal’s new editor-in-chief, Emma Tucker, gathered at Saturday’s pre-dinner reception hosted by the paper’s publisher, Almar Latour. I mentioned Evan Gershkovich, who is Imprisoned in Russia, accused of espionagethe journal and the US government deny it.
Biden began by commenting on Gerszkovic and other Americans detained abroad. “Everyone in this hall stands with you,” the president said to Gerszkovic’s family in attendance. “We are working daily to secure his release and are reviewing opportunities and tools to bring him home. We stand by our faith.”
He also mentioned journalist Austin Theis detained in Syria for about 11 yearsformer U.S. Marine Corps Paul Whelan 16 years in prison in Russia What the US is saying is a fabricated accusation of espionage.Biden pointed to WNBA star Britney Griner in the audience Released in December prisoner exchange After being detained in Russia for about ten months. “Boy, I can’t wait to get you back on the court, boy,” he said.
Biden’s supportive comments about press freedom contrasted with those of President Donald J. Trump. President Donald J. Trump has always called reporters “enemies of the people” and their reporting “fake news.” But Mr. Biden has cautiously admitted to his reluctance to communicate with reporters who cover him outside of the façade.he gave Holds fewer press conferences in a year than all but two presidents since Calvin Coolidge Less interviews than any modern president. Alluding to this, Biden said his speech at the dinner would be something like a press conference.
He made several passes to Mr. Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, his Republican challenger. Biden joked that he created 12 million jobs.”It’s just a lawyer.” is””
Biden also targeted Republican lawmakers. To keep dinner attendees safe, he said, “If you’re confused or confused, it’s either drunk or Marjorie Taylor Green.” “Kevin McCarthy called me and said, ‘Joe, what’s your secret?'”
The featured comedian of the night, Roy Wood Jr., a correspondent for The Daily Show on the Comedy Channel, gently teased Mr. Biden. Wood followed the president to the podium, holding up several documents and telling Biden, who is facing a special counsel investigation into the mishandling of classified documents, “You have some classified documents here. I seem to have forgotten it,” he said.
Wood pointed out French protesters rioted Retirement age raised to 64 He contrasted it with Mr. Biden. “An 80-year-old man is begging for his four more years of service,” he said. Noting the president’s “let me get the job done” mantra, Wood added: it’s a plea. “
Mr. Biden concluded with a serious tone. For Emmett TillA 14-year-old black boy spurred the civil rights movement with a brutal murder in Mississippi in 1955.Mr. Biden Hosted the show “Till”. A feature film about the incident was shown at the White House and concluded with a call to fight for democracy.
“We know it to the bone, and you know it, our democracy is still in danger.” We have also made it clear that it is within the power of each of us to maintain our democracy: we can, we must, we will.”
