President Joe Biden, known for his affable persona and empathetic public addresses, ventured into the stand-up comedy realm at the 2024 White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner, wielding humor as his weapon of choice against former President Donald Trump. Biden, often criticized for his age, turned the tables with self-deprecating jests and sharp barbs aimed at Trump, drawing laughter and applause from an audience of Washington’s political and media elite.
The setting, a contrast of moods, had the inner halls of the Washington Hilton filled with laughter while outside, a serious note was sounded by protesters decrying the media’s coverage and Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza.
Biden’s quips were pointed and plentiful. “Of course, the 2024 election’s in full swing and, yes, age is an issue: I’m a grown man running against a 6-year-old,” he jibed, referring to Trump, whom he humorously dubbed “Sleepy Don”—a play on the nickname Trump had previously ascribed to Biden.
Amidst the comedic volleys, Biden did not shy away from more direct and stinging commentary, particularly over Trump’s recent legal entanglements, saying, “Donald has had a few tough days lately. You might call it ‘stormy’ weather,” alluding to Trump’s legal issues regarding Stormy Daniels. He also ribbed the former president on a failed business venture, “Trump’s so desperate he started reading those Bibles he’s selling. Then he got to the first commandment: ‘You shall have no other gods before me.’ That’s when he put it down and said: ‘This book’s not for me.'”
The evening was not without its serious elements, as Biden took a moment to address the media’s role in the upcoming election. “I’m sincerely not asking you to take sides,” he stated. “I’m asking you to rise up to the seriousness of the moment. Move past the horse-race numbers and the gotcha moments, and the distractions, the sideshows that have come to dominate and sensationalise our politics and focus on what’s actually at stake.”
The dichotomy of the WHCA dinner was stark, as it was backdropped by the pro-Palestinian protests outside the venue. Protesters accused the gathered journalists and officials of being complicit in the violence against Palestinian journalists in Gaza.
Relevant articles:
– ‘Stormy weather’: Biden skewers Trump at White House correspondents’ dinner, theguardian.com, 04/28/2024
– Biden swings at Trump during White House Correspondents’ Dinner remarks as pro-Palestinian protesters rally outside, CNN, Sun, 28 Apr 2024 04:42:00 GMT
– President Biden’s best jokes at the White House correspondents’ dinner, The Washington Post, Sun, 28 Apr 2024 06:08:00 GMT
– US President Biden pokes fun at Trump, age critiques ahead of presidential election, The Economic Times, Sun, 28 Apr 2024 10:30:32 GMT
– Biden swings at Trump during White House Correspondents’ Dinner remarks as pro-Palestinian protesters rally outside, Yahoo News Australia, Sat, 27 Apr 2024 23:14:56 GMT