Washington, April 27 (The Street Press) – U.S. President Joe Biden delivered an election-year roast on Saturday night at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner as protesters outside criticized his support for Israel’s war against Hamas.
Biden took a playful jab at his Republican opponent, Donald Trump, during the fancy event, joking about Trump’s immaturity and poking fun at his own age. “Yes, age is an issue. I’m a grown man, running against a 6-year-old,” Biden quipped.
Later, Biden, who is 81, humorously remarked about his former rival, Trump, who is 77: “Age is the only thing we have in common. My vice president actually endorses me.”
In response to the event, Trump criticized it as “really bad” on his Truth Social platform, calling Biden “Crooked Joe” and labeling the event an “absolute disaster.”
Meanwhile, outside the Washington Hilton, where the gathering took place, demonstrators held banners and chanted about journalists’ deaths in Gaza. Hundreds of protesters urged journalists to boycott the annual event and shouted at administration officials as they arrived.
At the historic event, known as Washington’s “nerd prom,” hundreds of journalists, politicians, and celebrities mingled in a grand banquet hall. Traditionally, the president delivers a closing speech filled with lighthearted jabs at reporters and other attendees. Meanwhile, Biden entered the hotel through a back entrance, where he encountered smaller groups of protesters calling for a ceasefire.
Biden shared some advice with the press corps, urging them to focus on the gravity of the moment rather than getting caught up in the superficial aspects of politics. He encouraged them to move beyond the sensationalism and distractions that often dominate political discourse and instead concentrate on the real issues at hand.
As for the event’s host, this year it was “Saturday Night Live” cast member Colin Jost who took on the hosting duties.
CODEPINK, a grassroots movement, marched from a nearby park to the venue, highlighting their message that the U.S. media often portrays anti-Palestinian narratives and overlooks Israeli war crimes, as stated on their website.
Throughout the year, Biden has faced increasing opposition to the war in Gaza, including disruptions at events like a March fundraiser at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, where tickets were priced at $250 each.
This movement has also spread to college campuses across the U.S., indicating a growing dissent within the Democratic base that Biden must address to counter Trump, who has emerged as the frontrunner for the Republican Party.
Kelly O’Donnell, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, chose not to discuss security measures for the dinner.
In response, U.S. Secret Service spokesperson Alexi Worley emphasized that the safety and security of their protectees are their highest priority. However, Worley declined to provide additional details or comment further on the matter.
Israel’s six-month old war against Hamas in Gaza, in response to the Oct. 7 attack by the militant group in southern Israel, has killed more than 34,000 people, Palestinian health authorities say, and caused a humanitarian disaster for the enclave’s more than 2 million inhabitants. The Hamas attack killed 1,200 people in Israel, and led to 253 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.
The White House Correspondents’ Association, established in 1914, has been hosting dinners almost every year since 1921. These dinners serve to honor the reporters covering the presidency and also help raise funds for scholarships.
