The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) is holding its marquee annual event—the annual dinner—this weekend. Individuals coming should anticipate a distinctly prayerful tone to the day. This year’s event will gather some 3,000 attendees at the Washington Hilton. Most are likening the throngs to the crush of a Manhattan subway at rush hour. Guests are mourners missing the humorist and exploring the depth of their humor نقص. This is especially challenging in a political moment that most perceive to be deeply hostile.
Donald Trump has labeled the correspondents’ dinner “the enemy of the people.” This year, though, he won’t be exhibiting at the event. He chose not to join, continuing a pattern set by his last appointee on the staff. Many of them are now set to walk out of the event in protest. The attendance move reflects a larger change in the dinner’s tone and cachet. Celebs don’t have to fight for a spot the way they did when Barack Obama occupied the White House.
Sally Quinn, a notable author and journalist, expressed her frustration with the deteriorating state of the dinner. She made clear that she has no desire to come back, labeling it “the worst event in Washington.” In her critique, she alluded to the swarming crowds and inhumane conditions participants frequently experience.
“I will never, ever, ever go to the White House correspondents’ dinner again because it’s the worst event in Washington every year. First of all, there are too many people in the Hilton Hotel; there are like 3,000 people jammed in; it’s like being in the subway in Manhattan at rush hour with bad food and bad jokes.” – Sally Quinn
Quinn’s sentiments reveal an emerging trepidation among journalists at the effects of the growing Trump authoritarianism. She remarked on the fear surrounding journalistic integrity under the Trump administration, stating, “You’re scared you’re going to get thrown in jail if you write something he doesn’t like and that’s going to happen very soon.”
The annual dinner has long been an opportunity for American presidents to showcase their comedic genius. In return, comedians have an endless opportunity to lambaste their political foes. The WHCA recently found themselves in the news after rescinding comedian Dave Chappelle’s invitation. They made this move due to his previous statements denouncing the Trump administration. Many members of the media-making community welcomed this decision, understanding how volatile and sensitive our current socio-political climate is.
“It’s not going to be as much fun. We’re going to see a tribute to quality journalism and there’s always a place for that but there’s a toxicity out there that is hard to ignore at this moment.” – Steve Clemons
Eugene Daniels, WHCA board member, underscored these sentiments that honoring excellence in journalism and nurturing the next generation of journalists matters.
“I want to ensure the focus is not on the politics of division but entirely on awarding our colleagues for their outstanding work and providing scholarship and mentorship to the next generation of journalists.” – Eugene Daniels
Even with these reassurances, most attendees are still nervous about this big event. Everyone from Fareed Zakaria to Stephen Colbert has mourned the loss of Trump and of course, a funny person. That would leave a black hole in an awards show that’s necessarily been fueled by cutting humor and parody.
Traditionally, previous presidents have taken the dinner as an opportunity to demonstrate their wit and whimsy. Barack Obama and Joe Biden both turned in notable performances that helped restore the clamor of norms after long years of political discord. Trump’s announcement not to attend continues a precedent he set as president. Now, of course, he fully boycotted the dinner in those days.
The inaugural White House correspondents’ dinner took place in 1921. Inaugural Presidential Presence Three years later, in 1924, Calvin Coolidge became the first sitting president to attend. All presidents since then have attended—until Trump, making this a stunning break from 231 years of precedent.
As reporters get ready for this year’s event, most are still very much tuned into what it means to work as a journalist in today’s changing, dangerous political climate. Understanding historical context is vital. Meaning comedians such as cool Stephen Colbert haha have notoriously used the place to dunk on two dodgy presidents and large portion media members. Colbert’s performance in 2006 continues to be one of the most talked-about and chaotic moments in the dinner’s history.
While we’re gathering under the shadow of that storied legacy, this year’s correspondents’ dinner may be headed more for reverence than revelry. The emphasis will mostly be on addressing the severe challenges that are putting journalism in jeopardy today instead of engaging in jovial nickname trading.
“When you chip away at the press, you chip away at our democracy.” – Ron Chernow
Kurt Bardella, spokesperson for the gathering, expects a very different mood from this year’s confab. Most importantly, he warns that it will become a massive thunderclap of roar from the DC institutional media legacy. He thinks they’ve been totally neutered and humiliated over the course of the Trump era.