President Biden wasted no time.
Just minutes into his speech at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday, Mr. Biden launched into the dominant issues of the 2024 election, including his age and the secret trial of former President Donald J. Trump in New York.
“The 2024 election is in full swing and yes, age is an issue,” Mr. Biden said in a speech lasting about 10 minutes. “I’m an adult and I’m racing against a 6-year-old.”
“Donald has had a few rough days lately. You could call it “stormy” weather, Mr. Biden said, an indirect reference to Stormy Daniels, a porn actress who claims to have had sex with Mr. Trump in 2006 and to have received a discreet payment in the days before the 2016. election, an agreement at the center of his trial in New York.
Those comments, even in the context of a roast, were notable given that Mr. Biden has barred his aides from speaking publicly about Mr. Trump’s legal troubles. But they also came as Mr. Biden intensified his attacks on Mr. Trump, sharpening the split screen between a president on the campaign trail and a former president spending his days in a courtroom.
The annual dinner at Washington’s Hilton Hotel allowed journalists and government officials to take a break from their usual jousting for a night of glitter and gossip celebrating freedom of the press. Mr. Biden, who has held fewer news conferences than his predecessors, extended his roast to journalists gathered for dinner.
“Some of you have complained that I don’t answer your questions enough,” Mr. Biden said. “No comment.”
“The New York Times published A declaration criticized me for ‘actively and effectively avoiding independent journalists,'” Mr. Biden said. “Hey, if that’s what it takes for the New York Times to say I’m active and effective, I’m for it.”
However, outside the doors of the Washington Hilton, outrage over Mr Biden’s support for Israel’s war in Gaza was evident.
As journalists and politicians arrived at the hotel, many were mobbed by pro-Palestinian protesters chanting “Shame on you!” » Other protesters wearing press vests bearing the names of more than 100 Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza lounged outside the dinner venue.
“By putting our human bodies in the street, we are creating a little discomfort” for journalists at the event, said Hazami Barmada, a protest organizer.
Inside the hotel ballroom, many journalists wore pins reading “Free Evan” to draw attention to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia since March 2023 – wrongly , according to the US government.
Kelly O’Donnell, NBC News’ senior White House reporter and also president of the Correspondents’ Association, used her remarks to draw attention to journalists who have been captured or killed in the line of duty, notably Mr. Gershkovich; Austin Tice, who was kidnapped while reporting in Syria; and journalists killed in Gaza.
“Our profession can be perilous,” Ms O’Donnell said. “Since October, around 100 journalists have been killed, most of them in Gaza. »
Ms O’Donnell also said the association had wanted to choose both a writer and a comedian when it came to their host this year. Colin Jost, co-anchor of “Weekend Update” on “Saturday Night Live” — and a former Staten Island Advance reporter — spent about 23 minutes mocking the president.
But Mr. Jost’s speech was relatively light, even favorable to Mr. Biden. He ended by noting that his recently deceased grandfather voted for Mr. Biden in the last election.
“The reason he voted for you is because you are an honest man,” Mr. Jost said.
Yet Mr. Jost did not miss an opportunity to insult the president about his poll results.
“My ‘Weekend Update’ co-anchor, Michael Che, was going to join me here tonight — but in solidarity with President Biden, I have decided to lose all my black support,” Mr. Jost said, referring to a poll that showed Mr. Biden struggling with black voters.
Over a small pan-seared filet mignon, celebrities and journalists also had the opportunity to catch those who are crafting policies that will impact Americans for years to come. Lester Holt, the NBC News anchor, sat next to Jeffrey D. Zients, the White House chief of staff, who made sure to get up and speak briefly with the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Not everyone was in a tuxedo or dress — Sen. John Fetterman, Democrat of Pennsylvania, showed up wearing a white hooded sweatshirt adorned with a bow tie on the front.
Hollywood was well represented at the dinner, with the actress Scarlett Johansson, married to Mr. Jost, seated at the front. Popular cable news anchors dined with actors Jon Hamm and Sean Penn, among others.
Before heading to their seats, politicians like Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, and Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois held an audience with guests while Biden campaign officials spoke about the recent polls showing Mr. Biden cutting into Mr. Trump’s lead. .
Mr. Biden also seemed emboldened. Although he rarely mentioned Mr. Trump by name early in his presidency, he has taunted him aggressively of late and continued on Saturday.
“Did you hear what Donald said about the major battle of the Civil War? » Mr. Biden said. “Gettysburg. Wow. Trump’s speech was so embarrassing that the statue of Robert E. Lee was surrendered again.”
“Age is the only thing we have in common,” Mr. Biden, 81, said of Mr. Trump, 77. “Actually, my vice president supports me,” Mr. Biden said, referring to former Vice President Mike Pence’s decision not to endorse Mr. Trump.
Mr Biden also used his speech at the dinner to warn of his political opponent’s threats to democracy – an increasingly central part of his message to voters.
“Focus on the real issues,” Mr. Biden said. “The stakes couldn’t be higher.”
