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Ariana Baio
May 01, 2022
Biden points out that Fox News reporters at White House Correspondents Dinner ...
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President Joe Biden cracked some jokes about former president Donald Trump and his opposing party at last night's White House Correspondents' Dinner, a tradition that was missed by many.
The event returned to the White House after a two-year-long hiatus due to Covid and Biden's appearance marks the first time a sitting president has been in attendance since 2016 which is known for mocking the sitting POTUS.
Trump notably boycotted the event during his presidency and Biden, 79, could not pass up an opportunity to quip the former President.
"This is the first time a president has attended this dinner in six years," Biden began. "It's understandable, we had a horrible plague followed by two years of Covid."
The crowd erupted in a mixture of laughter, applause, and cautious "oohs" as Biden chirped at Trump.
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But Trump was not the only one president Biden targeted jokes at, he also roasted the GOP, the press, and himself.
@POTUS at WH Correspondence Dinner regarding 6 year break: \n\n \u201cWe had a horrible plague followed by two years of Covid\u201d \n\n#WHCD #Bidenpic.twitter.com/M7WpZBudkj— JoAnn Smith (@JoAnn Smith) 1651373587
“I’m not here to roast the GOP, that’s not really my style — and besides, there’s nothing I can say about the GOP that Kevin McCarthy hasn’t already put on tape.” Biden said in reference to the House Minority Leader's leaked audio recordings in which he criticized Trump in the wake of January 6.
That joke led to even more "oohs" from the audience than the one about Trump's refusal to attend the correspondent's dinner.
\u201cI\u2019m not here to roast the GOP, that\u2019s not really my style \u2014 and besides, there\u2019s nothing I can say about the GOP that Kevin McCarthy hasn\u2019t already put on tape.\u201d \n\nBoom.pic.twitter.com/vtGCIpZemo— Angry Staffer \ud83c\udf3b (@Angry Staffer \ud83c\udf3b) 1651408755
Poking fun at the correspondents in attendance, Biden joked, "I’m really excited to be here tonight with the only group of Americans with a lower approval rating than I have."
Biden: I\u2019m really excited to be here with the only group of Americans with a lower approval rating than I havepic.twitter.com/PsedtOTbRJ— Acyn (@Acyn) 1651371039
To even the playing field, President Biden made a few jokes about himself.
"Republicans seem to support one fellow. Some guy named Brandon. He's having a really good year. And I'm kind of happy for him," Biden said.
President Biden: "Republican seem to be supporting one fella. His name is BRANDON. He must be having a great year!"pic.twitter.com/wmbQmThQ8r— Ray [REDACTED] (@Ray [REDACTED]) 1651371811
"The very first president to attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was Calvin Coolidge in 1924. I had just been elected to the United States Senate," Biden said making a joke about his age which is often used against him negatively in the media.
The White House Correspondents Dinner is an annual event hosted by the White House Correspondents' Association, the organization of journalists who cover the White House and presidency.
The dinner helps funds scholarships for students in journalism programs.
Besides the President's quick standup routine, Daily Show host Trevor Noah served as the main comedian for the night. Other star guests included Kim Kardashian, Pete Davidson, Martha Stewart, Miranda Kerr, and more.
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