Joe Biden’s presidency has ushered in a relative return to normalcy after the chaotic Trump administration. For all Biden’s faults and missteps, he has done what he promised to do by bringing a sense of dignity and respect back to the office. He doesn’t attack the press as the enemy of the people, he doesn’t hurl Twitter insults at 4AM, and he has the guts to return to the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a celebration of journalism that Trump himself was always too cowardly to attend.
The dinner itself was a return to form: a comedian host, several taped sketches, and a lively atmosphere where guests were able to poke fun at themselves, the press corps, and the president. Host Trevor Noah came to play, delivering brutal roasts of republicans, journalists, and Fox News. Noah was an equal opportunity offender, making fun of Biden’s approval ratings and the democrats who stall his agenda.
Noah opened the show, quipping “I’m not doing this just for the attention. I’m a comedian, not Kyrsten Sinema.” He later joked, “Who ever thought we’d see the day when a senator could be openly bisexual but a closeted Republican?”
Noah also took Fox News to task, saying “Fox News is sort of like a Waffle House. It’s relatively normal in the afternoon, but as soon as the sun goes down, there’s a drunk lady named Jeanine threatening to fight every Mexican who comes in.” He also mocked Fox’s obsession with Hunter Biden, saying “I think people need to be held accountable if they’re using their dad’s name to get ahead in life and I can’t think of anyone better to ask about that than Peter Doocy,” he said of Fox News’ White House correspondent whose father is “Fox & Friends” co-host Steve Doocy. He also roasted Laura Ingraham, saying “What can you say about her that hasn’t already been said by the Anti-Defamation League?”
Noah also roasted the New York Times for their negative coverage of bail reform. He added, “Give it up to those New York Times reporters who managed to get those Kevin McCarthy tapes, give it up for them … you knew how crucial those tapes were which is why you immediately waited until your book was on sale to tell the people about them. Bravo!”
Biden took the stage before Noah, bringing plenty of jokes of his own. Biden quipped, “I’m excited to be here tonight with the only group of Americans with a lower approval rating than I have.” He noted that no president had attended the WCHD dinner in six years, noting “We had a horrible plague, followed by two years of COVID.”
Biden also ribbed Fox news, noting that all the attendees were vaccinated and had received boosters, “so if you’re at home wondering how to do that, just contact your favorite Fox News reporter — they’re all here, vaccinated and boosted. So if you are at home watching this, and you are wondering how to do that, just contact your favorite Fox News reporter. They are all here. Vaccinated and boosted!”
(image: screencap/C-SPAN)
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