“I believe in the First Amendment — not just because my good friend Jimmy Madison wrote it.” That would be President Joe Biden having a little self-deprecating fun with his age at the always raucous White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
The annual black-tie function, known for its biting and relentless humor at Washington’s expense, took place last night at the Washington Hilton. While the night was a little more subdued due to several American journalists being harassed and detained in authoritarian countries, there was still some fun to be had.
Among the 2,600 people attending the gala were freed WNBA and Olympic star Brittney Griner, actor Liev Schreiber, singer John Legend and wife, Chrissy Teigen. Debra Tice, the mother of journalist Austin Tice, who has not been heard from since disappearing at a checkpoint in Syria in 2012.
Terminator and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, along with actor Danny Devito, opened the dinner with a pre-taped video about the importance of a free and independent press, calling reporters an “ally of the people.” While the theme to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia played, the two Twins actors were joined by a pair of cracker-eating donkeys, Lulu and Whiskey. Watch below:
REELated:
Upon arriving, the President and First Lady, Jill Biden met privately with the parents of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been imprisoned in Russia since March.
Gershkovich has been charged with spying, despite strong denials from his employer and the U.S. government. Some guests wore buttons with “Free Evan” printed on them.
The President began his speech on a solemn note supporting the press. “Let me start on a serious note. Jill, Kamala, Doug, and I, and members of our administration are here to send a message to the country and, quite frankly, to the world: The free press is a pillar — maybe the pillar — of a free society, not the enemy.
He added, “Thomas Jefferson wrote — you all know this quote. Thomas Jefferson wrote, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate…to prefer the latter.”
“To Evan’s parents Ella, Mikhail, and sister Danielle, as I’ve told you in person: We — not just me — we all stand with you. Evan went to report in Russia to shed light on the darkness that you all escaped from years ago.”
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were seated on the stage along with comedian Roy Wood Jr., a correspondent for The Daily Show, who was the featured entertainer.
Biden then addressed Debra Tice, “We also keep the faith for Austin — Austin Tice. His mom Debra is here tonight. She knows from our several conversations — the conversations with me and my senior staff — we are not giving up. As I told you at this dinner last year, as I told you in the Oval Office, you’ve raised an incredible son. When he was a kid, he was an Eagle Scout, a Big Brother, a born protector, a U.S. Marine — three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Austin — Austin was a fearless journalist and a future lawyer. As a consequence of Austin showing the world the cost of war, he’s been detained in Syria for nearly 11 years. It’s simply wrong. It’s outrageous. And we are not ceasing our effort to get him, find him, and bring him home. Tonight, our message is this: Journalism is not a crime.
Biden then turned his attention CBS News guest Brittney Griner, who attended with her wife, Cherelle.
“This time last year, we were praying for you, Brittney, hoping you knew how hard all of us were fighting for your release,” Biden said to the basketball star. “It’s great to have you home. And, boy, I can hardly wait to see you back on the court, kid. Remember your promise. I get to bring my granddaughter, my All-State girl, to see you. Right?”
While Biden spent the majority of his speech focused on the issue of press freedom, he took time to take jabs at some of his most vocal political critics. He started his punchlines with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, taking direct aim at the recent bill Republicans passed that would lift the debt ceiling in exchange for a series of budget cuts, including some of Biden’s key legislative achievements.
“The last time Republicans voted for something that hapless it took 15 tries,” Biden said, referring to the gruesome fight McCarthy endured to become speaker in January.
Biden then poked fun at the media about the contact talk and opinion about his age as he runs for a second term. “Look, I get that age is a completely reasonable issue. It’s on everybody’s mind. And everyone — by “everyone” I mean the New York Times. Headline: “Biden’s advanced age is a big issue. Trump’s, however, is not. Sorry, that was a New York Times Pitchbot. I apologize.”
But that was just the beginning, Biden chided Fox News Chairman Rupert Murdoch about his age. “You might think I don’t like Rupert Murdoch. That’s simply not true. How could I dislike the guy who makes me look like Harry Styles? You call me old? I call it being seasoned. You say I’m ancient? I say I’m wise. You say I’m over the hill? Don Lemon would say that’s a man in his prime.
The President then poked fun at Marjorie Taylor Greene and Elon Musk. “If you find yourself disoriented or confused, it’s either you’re drunk or Marjorie Taylor Greene. Tam, thank you for hosting us. I love NPR because they whisper into the mic like I do. But not everybody loves NPR. Elon Musk tweeted that it should be defunded. Well, the best way to make NPR go away is for Elon Musk to buy it. And that’s more true than you think.”
Biden then gave way to The Daily Show’s Roy Wood, Jr. who hosted the night.
