What was notable about the attendance at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner? How did Eugene Daniels address the relationship between the media and the current administration? What impact did Donald Trump’s absence have on the event’s atmosphere? How did the previous administrations’ presidents contribute to the dinner? What recognition did Rachel Scott receive during the awards portion of the evening?
A chorus line of past presidents from past years showed up via old video to give an edited mash-up speech, but there was no current POTUS, no VP, no roast by a comedian and few Hollywood power players at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner tonight in Washington DC.
Yet, with Donald Trump still yet to make his WHCD debut as president, White House Correspondents’ Association president Eugene Daniels had no intention of burying the lede Saturday of the barricades up between the current White House and institutional media in America. “We journalists are a lot of things,“ Daniels exclaimed to a standing ovation in his First Amendment celebrating closing remarks on this 96th day of Trump 2.0. “What we are not is the opposition. What we are not is the enemy of the people, and what we are not is the enemy of the state.”
Ending the WHCD earlier than in past years, Daniels opened his comments by addressing the elephant not in the Washington Hilton ballroom: “Every year we invite the president to this dinner. For decades, presidents on both sides of the political spectrum get gussied up and join us. I want to be clear about something, we don’t invite presidents of the United States to this because it’s for them. We don’t invite them because we want to cozy up to them or curry favor. We don’t only extend invites to the presidents who say they love journalists or who say they are defenders of the First Amendment in a free press. We invite them to remind them that they should be. We invite them to demonstrate that those of us who have chosen the public service of journalism aren’t doing it because we love flights on Air Force One or walking into the Oval Office. It is to remind them why a strong Fourth Estate is essential for democracy.”
Still, while CAA and UTA had parties this weekend as the WHCD hit its 104th anniversary, the so-called Nerd Prom 2025 did lack the usual cadre of Oscar winners, Emmy winners and legion of the deep-pocketed Beverly Hills donor class.
Yes, White Lotus Season 3’s Jason Issacs was at the WHCD, as was the OG Wonder Woman Lynda Carter, Emmy winner Alex Borstein, and Breaking Bad alum Dean Norris. And yes, the cable, network print and online media elite (including Deadline’s DC Bureau chief Ted Johnson) were in the house, along with besieged NYC Mayor Eric Adams.
Even with short-lived ex-White House press secretary Sean Spicer and CNN vet Frank Sesno holding down the fort on the occasionally technically challenged C-SPAN, and MSNBC broadcasting the gathering entrée to dessert with commentary from Molly Jong-Fast and others, the vibe was very low-key. Low-key, but perhaps no less poignant compared to past years, with or without Trump in attendance.
“I know this has been an extremely difficult year for all,” a distinctly understated WHCA boss and MSNBC host Daniels told the well-heeled crowd at the outset of the 2025’s WHCD. “It’s been difficult for this association. We’ve been tested, attacked.”
Certainly, Trump 2.0 has seen the WHCA stripped of its pool rotation power, the Associated Press cast out from covering White House events, and the briefing room hierarchy overturned. With the free press and the rule of law under threat from Trump now, the WHCA did itself no favors hiring Amber Ruffin to provide comic relief and then unceremoniously dumping the Have I Got News For You regular. The lack of a muscular public reaction to the AP being under fire from the Trump team has also exposed divisions in the WHCA.
Still, even with cameras going to Yamiche Alcindor thinking the NBC News reporter was The Grio’s April Ryan, tonight was, as Daniels said onstage “just us.” In that excellence and honestly in journalism over the past year was center stage.
The award and scholarship portions of the evening began with ABC News’ Rachel Scott recognized for her coverage of the assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, PA with the Award for Excellence in Presidential News Coverage Under Deadline Pressure.
Looking at the big story standing in front of the media during the last administration, there was a rebuke of journalists covering the Executive Mansion tonight from Axios’ Alex Thompson.
While praising the work of the WHCA, the Constitution and plugging his upcoming book co-written with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Aldo Beckman Award for Overall Excellence in White House Coverage winner Thompson noted the declining trust in the media. More specific to the ballroom crowd, Thompson also addressed the failure of many in the room to be honest with themselves and the public about the extent of the “deception” of Joe Biden’s cognitive decline and the “cover-up” of the octogenarian 46th POTUS’s health by his aides and supporters up until that disastrous debate last year.
Then still a candidate for reelection, President Biden attended and glowingly spoke of the power of a free press in 2024 at the WHCD. Offering kudos to Biden for being a “good man,” SNL Weekend Update co-anchor Colin Jost was the after-POTUS comedian.
At the same time, with POTUS just back from Pope Francis’ funeral and up at his New Jersey estate, the MAGA crowd this year were holding their own shindig across town at the Willard Hotel. The meet-up was the debut of the Donald Trump Jr. co-founded Executive Branch private club. Unlike the WHCD, Executive Branch’s $100,000 membership fee is intended to keep its goings-on far from the eyes of the press.
In that context, an immediately acclaimed speech by outgoing WHCA leader Daniels summed up the state of the media in America by evoking the months the Wall Street Journal’s Evan Gershkovich spent behind bars in Russia and added that “attacks on journalists don’t stop at our borders.”
“Every single day, journalists in this country face threats of intimidation, lawsuits and violence,” Daniels said, showing up in many ways as the surprise guest the WHCA had hinted at for the WHCD. “Those attacks are meant to do one thing, stop us from sharing the truth with the people. To our friends at the Associated Press. You have taken on more than you should have to but what you have held firm to from the very beginning is that your fight is not about you. It’s about the ability of every single person in this room to make free and independent editorial decisions without government interference.”
A very public club and proof the WHCD doesn’t need a POTUS to own the night in DC.
White House Correspondents’ Dinner: A Night of Snubs and Schmooze
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, often dubbed "Nerd Prom," is an annual tradition that highlights the relationship between the press and the political elite. It’s a night of laughter, celebration, and often, satire. However, amidst the festivities, the event has also seen its share of snubs—none more notable than the recurring tension surrounding former President Donald Trump.
The History of the Dinner
Founded in 1920, the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) began the dinner to foster relationships between journalists and politicians. Over the years, it has evolved into a showcase for comedians, politicians, and media personalities, all while raising funds for scholarships for aspiring journalists. Historically, presidents have attended, using the platform to convey their humor and charm.
Trump’s Absence in 2017
In 2017, the Correspondents’ Dinner took on a decidedly different tone when Donald Trump was notably absent. The first sitting president to skip the event in over three decades, Trump’s absence was a clear signal of his contentious relationship with the media. His administration often described the press as "fake news," and Trump had made it clear that he was unhappy with the coverage he received.
Nonetheless, the dinner went on with a heartfelt tribute to the importance of a free press, coupled with biting humor from hosts like Hasan Minhaj. Many saw the event as an opportunity to highlight the oppressive influence of those in power over journalists, making Trump’s absence more impactful.
The 2022 Dinner: Snubs and Laughter
The 2022 dinner was attended by President Joe Biden and featured humor that took jabs at political foes, including the former president. The event returned to its roots, emphasizing the media’s fundamental role in democracy. Biden’s presence was significant; he struck a balance between humor and respect for journalism—something Trump’s administration rarely demonstrated.
The “Snub” Factor
Trump’s absence from the dinner has sparked ongoing debate about the nature of snubs in American politics. For many, snubbing the Correspondents’ Dinner is more than just a personal choice; it’s a broader commentary on the current state of American democracy and media relations.
Some argue that a president’s absence signals disdain for the press and an unwillingness to engage with critics. For others, it reflects a strategic choice to bypass traditional media platforms that may not align with their political narrative.
A New Era of Partisanship
The Correspondents’ Dinner is no longer just a gathering of journalists and politicians; it’s become emblematic of the deepening partisanship in American society. Trump’s presidency marked a turning point in how the media and politicians interacted. His relationship with journalists was often combative, leading some to view the White House Correspondents’ Dinner as an archaic institution, irrelevant in the face of modern political dynamics.
The divide deepened when the WHCA chose to invite personalities with more liberal leanings as hosts, raising eyebrows among conservative circles. The perception of bias created additional friction, particularly in relation to Trump.
The Impact of Social Media
In the age of social media, a snub does not merely remain within the confines of a gala evening. The narratives formed by these absences permeate social media platforms, often becoming amplified echo chambers. Trump has capitalized on this; he frequently uses platforms like Twitter (now X) to bypass traditional media altogether, often criticizing or ignoring media events like the Correspondents’ Dinner. This illustrates a significant shift in how political figures engage (or disengage) from the media landscape.
Comedians and the Dinner
The dinner traditionally features a comedian to deliver a roast of the attendees, providing a lighter atmosphere and inviting good-natured ribbing. Yet, the satire often carries underlying tones of anxiety about the state of American politics. Comedians like Michelle Wolf in 2018, who humorously chastised the lack of accountability in the Trump administration, underscored the tension that many felt towards the former president.
Looking Ahead
As the White House Correspondents’ Dinner progresses into the future, questions remain about its role and relevance in modern politics. Will it continue to be a platform for both criticism and camaraderie, or will it become a relic of a more genteel political era?
Be it Trump’s absence or the biting humor of a comedian, the fluctuating dynamics of the event reveal much about the state of American democracy. As tensions grow and the dialogue continues to evolve, the dinner—which is supposed to bridge gaps—seems instead to highlight them.
Conclusion
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner continues to be a platform not just for amusing anecdotes and political satire but also for demonstrating the complex relationship between the media and political powers. Trump’s snub of the event echoes wider concerns regarding partisanship, the role of media in democracy, and the difficulty of maintaining respect and decorum in a deeply divided political climate. Whether snubbed or celebrated, the dinner remains a poignant reminder that the interplay between the press and the presidency is a cornerstone of American life—one that warrants reflection, critique, and, yes, a good portion of laughter.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner has often been a platform for both satire and camaraderie among journalists and politicians. However, the event has seen its share of controversy, particularly regarding former President Trump. His absence from the event over the years has been significant, especially during his tenure, where his ongoing conflicts with the media created a palpable tension.
The dinner traditionally celebrates the work of journalists while also allowing for humorous commentary on political figures. Trump’s decision to forgo attending sparked debates about journalist integrity and the relationship between the press and the presidency. Each absence added layers to the ongoing discourse surrounding media bias and accountability in political coverage.
Recent dinners have continued to navigate this complex landscape, with moments that reflect both the spirit of the evening and the ongoing divides in American political life. The interplay between comedy, criticism, and celebration remains a hallmark of the event, illustrating the evolving role of the press in the current political climate.