Biden and Jost Mock Trump at White House Correspondents' Dinner, Prompting Criticism

President Joe Biden and comedian Colin Jost took aim at former President Donald Trump during the 2024 White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night. The event, which celebrates the free press and features a roast-style comedy set, saw both Biden and Jost, the co-anchor of 'Saturday Night Live's' 'Weekend Update,' delivering jokes at Trump's expense.

During his remarks, Biden referred to Trump as 'Sleepy Don' and poked fun at the former president's age, saying he's 'a 6-year-old' running against Biden. The president also urged journalists to focus on the effects of the next election on American life and policy, rather than getting distracted by 'horse race numbers' and 'gotcha' moments.

Jost, the event's headliner, delivered a comedy set that targeted various political figures, including jokes about Biden's age and approval ratings, as well as controversies like the discovery of cocaine at the White House. He also made several jokes about Trump, noting the "Republican candidate for president owes half a billion in fines for bank fraud and is currently spending his days farting himself awake during a porn star hush money trial."

The event elicited a critical response from Trump, who took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to criticize the dinner. Trump had boycotted the event during his presidency, making him the only president since Calvin Coolidge to not attend the dinner.

Why this matters: The White House Correspondents' Dinner serves as a platform for the president and the media to engage in a lighthearted exchange, while also highlighting the importance of a free press. The event's focus on mocking Trump underscores the ongoing political tensions and the high stakes of the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

Outside the event, hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists protested Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and accused the media of being complicit in the deaths of Palestinians. The dinner also featured remarks from NBC News correspondent Kelly O'Donnell about journalists who have been captured or killed while doing their jobs, emphasizing the importance of press freedom and the risks journalists face in their work.

Key Takeaways

• Biden and Jost mocked Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
• Trump criticized the dinner, being the only president since Coolidge to boycott it.
• The dinner highlighted the importance of a free press and the risks journalists face.
• Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists protested Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war.
• The event underscored the political tensions and high stakes of the 2024 election.