President Biden delivered a humorous speech at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner, making jokes about his old age and the upcoming election. Attending the event were nearly 3,000 journalists, celebrities, and Washington insiders at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. The dinner provides Biden with a platform to connect with voters and showcase his sense of humor, which is particularly important as his approval rating is at a historic low ahead of the November election. Despite his advanced age of 81, Biden made light of the concerns about his vitality by joking about running against a 6-year-old opponent. He reassured the crowd about his well-being and poked fun at his infamous bike fall in 2022.
During his speech, Biden also took aim at former President Donald Trump, mocking his rambling speech in Gettysburg and lack of endorsement from Mike Pence. He joked about Trump’s ongoing legal troubles, including the Stormy Daniels hush money trial. Following Biden’s address, Saturday Night Live Weekend Update co-host Colin Jost also roasted the president, politicians, and media figures. Leading up to the event, Biden’s reelection campaign team worked closely with him to fine-tune his comedy set, with the help of speechwriter Vinay Reddy and strategist Jeffrey Katzenberg.
One of the critical issues facing Biden ahead of the election is his ongoing support for Israel amid the war in Gaza, which has cost him support among left-leaning Democrats. Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the Washington Hilton ahead of the dinner, with some referring to Biden as “Genocide Joe” for his backing of Israel. The president recently signed a $95 billion foreign aid package, including $26 billion for Israel, leading to further criticism. Additionally, the event raises money for scholarships for students pursuing journalism careers, with the aim to support future journalists.
During his speech, Biden made a promise to bring home Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested in Moscow on espionage charges last year. Despite efforts to secure his release, a Moscow court rejected Gershkovich’s appeal, meaning he will remain in pretrial detention until at least June 30. Biden reiterated his commitment to bringing Gershkovich home, particularly as his parents were in attendance at the dinner. The president emphasized the importance of supporting journalists and ensuring their safety, as well as highlighting the White House Correspondents Dinner’s role in supporting future journalists through scholarships.
Overall, Biden’s speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner was a mix of self-deprecating humor, jabs at his political opponents, and a reminder of the importance of supporting journalism. With the upcoming election and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the president used the event to connect with voters, address criticism, and showcase his comedic side. Despite facing challenges and criticism, Biden’s speech at the dinner demonstrated his ability to engage with the public, navigate difficult issues, and maintain a sense of humor in the face of adversity.
