Much of Washington is ready to party like it's 2019, before the coronavirus, when the biggest risk at the annual White House press corps gala was more likely to be jokes that ruffled too many political feathers.
After the pandemic nixed the 2021 and 2020 editions, the White House Correspondents Association dinner returns Saturday night. It features Joe Biden, the first sitting president to attend in six years. – Much of Washington is ready to party like it's 2019, before the coronavirus, when the biggest risk at the annual White House press corps gala was more likely to be jokes that ruffled too many political feathers.
“Seeing the president of the United States come back, and the dinner come back, I think signals more than a pause in the pandemic," said Harold Holzer, author of the book “The Presidents vs. The Press.”"We’re safe to talk to each other again.”I think this relationship — even if it’s a one-night thing where witticisms are exchanged and people make fun of others and each other — it’s a very healthy thing.
Biden mentioned the dinner during a speech this week about Russia's war on Ukraine, saying, “I’ve always had respect for the press but I can’t tell you how much respect I have watching them in these zones where they’re under fire."“Imagine if we weren’t getting that information,” the president added."It would be a different world.”
The White House Correspondents' Association said it would require same-day antigen testing for its dinner attendees even before the Gridiron outbreak. It has since added a vaccination requirement for those attending Saturday’s gala, which will have a capacity exceeding 2,600 and is fully booked.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
4-time vaccinated Fauci mocked for pulling out of White House Correspondents’ DinnerDr Marty Makary, a surgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital and a Fox News contributor, took a swipe at Dr. Anthony Fauci for refusing to attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Saturday due t…
Read more »
White House continues mixed COVID-19 messages ahead of correspondents' dinnerAs Washington prepares for its first White House Correspondents' Association dinner in three years, President JoeBiden's plans for the event may constitute yet another bout of mixed messaging when it comes to COVID-19.
Read more »
Biden to attend White House Correspondents' Dinner, tradition Trump skippedPres. Biden and first lady Jill Biden will attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner this weekend in Washington, the association announced on Twitter, the first time a sitting president has attended since 2016.
Read more »
Opinion | Why the White House Correspondents' Dinner is too risky for Dr. FauciIf the Gridiron dinner were the exemplar for vaccines alone being adequate, then the White House Correspondents' Dinner seems to be modeling the personal risk calculator.
Read more »
White House Correspondents' Gala Offers Political Normalcy Despite COVIDThe White House press corps is ready to party like it’s 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic with host Trevor Noah as a headliner.
Read more »
White House clarifies Fauci statements on the state of the pandemicThe White House addressed Dr. Anthony Fauci's assessment that the United States is 'out of the pandemic phase.'
Read more »