This year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner will go forward without a featured entertainer.
White House Correspondents’ Association president Eugene Daniels told members Saturday that the organization has opted to cancel comedian Amber Ruffin’s scheduled performance at this year’s gala, which is set to be held April 26.
“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,” Daniels wrote in a note to WHCA members.
Members of the White House team have expressed criticism of the decision to pick Ruffin as the performer and suggested that organizations should rethink sponsoring the event. Daniels however said that the decision of the WHCA board was “unanimous,” and that the decision has been in the works for a few weeks as part of a “re-envisioning of our dinner tradition for this year.”
“As the date nears, I will share more details of the plans in place to honor journalistic excellence and a robust, independent media covering the most powerful office in the world,” he wrote.
The WHCA is at odds with the White House over a few issues, including a decision to bar the Associated Press from certain news events and a move to take direct control over the White House press pool.
The WHCA annual dinner serves as the organization’s major fundraising event and a means to give scholarships to deserving students. In the past it has also played host to biting political commentary from guest entertainers, a list that has includes the likes of Bob Hope, Ed Sullivan, Jay Leno, Jon Stewart, Conan O’Brien, Stephen Colbert and others. Colin Jost hosted the 2024 edition.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
