White House Correspondents’ Dinner Highlights Political Jokes and Protests Amidst Gaza Conflict

The annual White House correspondents’ dinner took a serious turn on Saturday as President Joe Biden used the event to make both jokes and grim warnings about his Republican rival Donald Trump’s fight to reclaim the U.S. presidency. The war in Gaza, which has sparked large protests outside the dinner venue, went all but unmentioned by participants inside.

Biden, in his roast, referred to Trump as “sleepy Don” and highlighted the differences between them, including the fact that Biden’s vice president endorses him while Trump’s former vice president has refused to endorse his reelection bid. However, the president quickly shifted to a serious tone, warning that another Trump administration would be detrimental to America.

Despite the usual lighthearted atmosphere of the dinner, the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza loomed large over the event. Protesters outside the Washington Hilton, where the dinner was held, condemned Biden for his support of Israel’s military campaign and criticized Western news outlets for undercoverage and misrepresentation of the conflict.

Inside the dinner, there were few mentions of the war in Gaza, with one brief acknowledgment from the president of the correspondents’ association. The event drew nearly 3,000 people, including celebrities like Scarlett Johansson and Chris Pine.

The heightened security measures, including extra street closures, were put in place to ensure the safety of attendees amid the protests. Protest organizers aimed to bring attention to the high number of Palestinian and Arab journalists killed by Israel’s military during the war.

The event also saw jabs at the age of both presidential candidates, with comedian Colin Jost joking about former President Jimmy Carter potentially running for office at the age of 99.

Overall, the White House correspondents’ dinner this year highlighted the challenges of balancing humor and seriousness in the midst of a contentious presidential election and global conflicts.