White House Correspondents’ Dinner Makes Unprecedented Move by Dropping Comedian
In a surprising shift from the norm, the White House Correspondents’ Dinner this year will forgo its traditional comedic performance. The event, set for April 26 in Washington, D.C., will not feature comedian Amber Ruffin, whose booking was recently canceled by the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA).
An email sent to WHCA members by Eugene Daniels, the association’s president, emphasized the board’s unanimous decision to exclude a comedian this year. Daniels stated, “At this consequential moment for journalism, 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.”
This decision comes after Ruffin was initially announced as an ideal choice for the event, considering the current political and cultural climate. Her past predecessors include well-known comedians like Trevor Noah, Roy Wood Jr., and Colin Jost. The last time the dinner avoided featuring a comedian was in 2019 when historian Ron Chernow delivered the keynote address.
The annual dinner, which has been held since 1921, traditionally sees U.S. presidents in attendance. However, President Trump notably skipped the event during his term, opting instead to host a political rally in Wisconsin in 2019. It remains uncertain if Trump will attend this year, as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has already declared her absence from the event.
The WHCA plays a crucial role in managing the presidential “pool” of journalists who follow the president closely. However, recent developments saw the White House announcing plans to manage this pool independently, bypassing the association. This move has stirred discussions about the relationship between the White House and the media, with past events witnessing protests over issues such as the Gaza conflict and fossil fuel drilling.
Despite these changes, the WHCA remains committed to its advocacy for journalistic access and transparency. “The WHCA will never stop advocating for comprehensive access, full transparency and the right of the American public to read, listen to and watch reports from the White House, delivered without fear or favor,” Daniels reiterated in a statement on the association’s website.
Comedian, writer and actress Amber Ruffin was scheduled to perform at the upcoming White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 26 in Washington, D.C., but the group that runs the event has canceled her appearance.
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
