The annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner is a celebration of journalism and the reporters who cover the White House, providing a rare opportunity for politicians, lawmakers, and journalists to come together in a spirit of camaraderie. However, this year’s gathering felt distinctly different due to the political climate. Traditionally, the evening is known for its sharp comedy, featuring past hosts like Stephen Colbert and Conan O’Brien, and this year was no exception with Hasan Minhaj, a senior correspondent for The Daily Show, at the helm.
Normally, the President graces the event, enduring jabs and delivering his own humorous quips to the delight of attendees. However, this year, Trump chose to skip the dinner, a notable absence as he became the first sitting President since Reagan not to attend, who missed it due to recovering from an assassination attempt.
Despite Trump’s absence and that of much of his administration, Minhaj did not hold back, using the opportunity to deliver a series of sharp, well-timed jokes that underscored the importance of the First Amendment. One highlight of his set included, “You guys are Trump’s public enemy number one. It’s journalists, then ISIS, then normal length ties.” He went on to remark, “I would say it is an honor to be here, but that would be an alternative fact—it is not. No one wanted to do this, so of course it lands in the hands of an immigrant.”
Minhaj also quipped about the absence of several prominent figures, saying, “We have to address the elephant that’s not in the room. The leader of the country is not here. And that’s because he lives in Moscow.” He humorously noted, “Betsy DeVos couldn’t be here—she’s busy curating her collection of children’s tears.”
In a poignant conclusion, Minhaj emphasized, “The President didn’t show up because Donald Trump doesn’t care about free speech. The man who tweets everything that enters his head refuses to acknowledge the amendment that allows him to do it (…) I’m proud that all of us are here tonight to defend that right, even if the man in the White House never would.”
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In summary, the White House Correspondents’ Dinner took place without Trump, but Hasan Minhaj delivered a memorable roast that highlighted the significance of free speech and journalism in a humorous yet poignant manner.