White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of one of the most powerful clubs in America.

Jay Leno shares funny story about hosting 1987 White House Correspondents’ Dinner

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Earlier today, Jay Leno spoke to whcinsider.com about hosting the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner over the years, including a funny backstage story about his first time at the dinner during Ronald Reagan’s presidency.

Leno was a special guest at the 2019 WHC Garden Brunch on Saturday, April 27, 2019, where he presented the Champions of Freedom Award to U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Angela Morales-Biggs.

Leno has entertained White House Correspondents’ Dinner attendees four times since 1987, hosting more times than any other individual in the dinner’s history.

Trump officials attend Garden Brunch, won’t attend Correspondents dinner

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President Donald Trump won’t be attending the White House Correspondents Dinner for the third year in a row. He also instructed White House officials to not attend the annual event, but that didn’t stop a few of them from enjoying pre-dinner festivities.

Rod Rosenstein, Rudy Giuliani and Kellyanne Conway were spotted this year’s WHC Garden Brunch at the Beall-Washington House in Georgetown, where they joined other brunch guests in honoring military service members and veterans.

Conway spoke about the importance of supporting our military service members and why events like the Garden Brunch are good for raising awareness about veterans’ issues.

In discussing the Be Fearless Award that was presented to U.S. Army Lt. General Gwen Bingham, Conway also commented on what being fearless has meant in her career.

President Trump will attend a re-election campaign rally with supporters in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Saturday night while the White House Correspondents Dinner is taking place in Washington, D.C.

Jay Leno honors military heroes and veterans at 2019 WHC Garden Brunch

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Comic legend Jay Leno was on hand at the 2019 White House Correspondents Garden Brunch to help honor military heroes and veterans. In partnership with Wells Fargo and the Military Warriors Support Foundation, Leno surprised Purple Heart recipient, U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Angela Morales-Biggs of Manassas, Virginia with the WHC Garden Brunch Champions of Freedom Award and the keys to a brand new, payment-free Nissan Pathfinder from Jones Junction Auto Group.

Leno said, “my mom always said you should bring something – a covered dish or dessert – but I like cars. So we’re going to give you a new Nissan Pathfinder. Did you see the red one out there? That’s yours!” Leno invited Morales-Biggs’ daughter to come up on the stage to help present the car keys to her mother.

As a self-described “Air Force Brat,” Morales-Biggs lived all over the world while she was growing up. She is third generation U.S. Air Force, joining right after high school. She became a flight medic and later a combat medic. Morales-Biggs has more than 20 years of service and has been stationed all over the United States, Italy, Turkey, Korea and Afghanistan. She was injured in a combat situation and received the Purple Heart. She also received the Combat Medic Badge and is recommended to receive the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

Morales-Biggs is in the process of retiring from the Air Force and currently lives in Manassas, Virginia with her husband, Ralph, and their two children plus another baby boy on the way. She is working toward a bachelor’s degree in psychology from American Military University and plans to become a mental health counselor.

Andrea Dellinger from the Military Warriors Support Foundation and Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Quinn, Wells Fargo’s Head of Military & Veteran Initiatives, also participated in the award presentation.

The Military Warriors Support Foundations’ Transportation4Heroes program provides payment-free vehicles, family and financial mentorship to help veterans successfully transition from the military to civilian life.

Jay Leno to honor veterans at 2019 WHC Garden Brunch

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Jay Leno performs at the 2004 White House Correspondents Dinner

Special guest Jay Leno will join White House Correspondents Garden Brunch hosts and guests on Saturday, April 27, 2019 to honor veterans and present a Purple Heart recipient with the WHC Garden Brunch “Champions of Freedom” Award in a presentation sponsored by Wells Fargo and Military Warriors Support Foundation.

Many veterans have challenges when transitioning to civilian life, and the Military Warriors Support Foundation aims make that transition a bit easier. The organization provides mortgage-free homes and payment-free vehicles to our nation’s combat wounded heroes and Gold Star families.

Jay Leno is no stranger to White House Correspondents’ Weekend festivities. He has previously headlined the annual WHCA dinner on multiple occasions over the past three decades, and the Garden Brunch hosts are excited to have him as part of the program this year.

Andrea Dellinger from the Military Warriors Support Foundation and Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Quinn, Wells Fargo’s Head of Military & Veteran Initiatives, will also be part of the award ceremony.

You can watch this special presentation live via Twitter @whcinsider starting at 12:15 pm ET.

Philanthropist Jean Case to present WHC Garden Brunch “Be Fearless” Award to Lt. General Gwendolyn Bingham

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Steve Case, Tammy Haddad, Jean Case, Kara Swisher, Hilary Rosen and José Andrés at a book release party for “Be Fearless” in January 2019

Over the past several years, the White House Correspondents Garden Brunch has recognized active duty members of the military, veterans, and military families to thank them for their service and to put names and faces to the stories that journalists cover.

Jean Case, CEO of the Case Foundation and Chairman of the National Geographic Society, has shared her advice on how to be successful in her national bestselling book, “Be Fearless,” and at the 2019 Garden Brunch, she – alongside the other brunch cohosts – will recognize U.S. Army Lieutenant General Gwendolyn Bingham with the WHC Garden Brunch “Be Fearless” Award.

Bingham has served our country for more than 30 years. She has worked in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and has served in more than 20 countries. She has also broken a lot of barriers along the way. Bingham is one of the few 3-star female general offices in U.S. Army history, and she is the recipient of numerous campaign and service medals.

For her distinguished service to our country, and her tireless efforts to improve the quality of life for men and women in uniform and their families, we are honored to recognize Lt. General Gwendolyn Bingham at the 2019 Garden Brunch.

Jean and Steve Case are co-hosts of the 2019 White House Correspondents Garden Brunch. Steve is Co-Founder of America Online and Chairman and CEO of Revolution.

White House Correspondents’ Weekend 2019 Preview

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Military service members were honored at the 2018 Garden Brunch

It’s that time of year again for a weekend of news and events surrounding the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. We’ve got the latest on who plans to party again and who decided to opt out (for now).

Remember, it’s more than dinner on Saturday: there are events starting as early as Thursday, April 25th. That includes Voto Latino’s 11th Annual “Our Voices: Celebrating Diversity in Media” reception, as well as the 6th Annual “Bytes & Bylines” party – a gathering of leaders in technology, media, and politics. The party is co-hosted by Allen Gannett, Eric Kuhn, John McCarthy, and Jennifer DeCasper and will once again be held at the residence of the Ambassador of Ireland to the United States.

On Friday, April 26th, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee will hold its second Not the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. Though she vowed never to host another NWHCD again, Samantha Bee said in a press release, “…the White House Correspondents’ Association has left me no choice — it is now up to comedy journalists to take care of real journalists. Even if those journalists insist on wearing corduroy.”

While NWHCD 2 tapes on Friday, it will air at the same time as the official White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Saturday, April 27, 10 PM ET/PT on TBS. Programming note: get your remote controls ready, as not only will the actual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner and NWHCD 2 air simultaneously, but President Donald Trump will be holding a campaign rally at the same time in Green Bay, Wisconsin. For those keeping track, this is the third time the President has opted out of the WHCA dinner.

NWHCD 2 hasn’t named their celebrity guests yet but all proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Sorry, no tickets available for the annual Friday night dinner hosted for Official Washington by David Bradley, publisher of The Atlantic. It’s invite-only for the Embassy Row backyard gathering.

Also happening on Friday night, United Talent Agency (UTA) will hold its fourth annual “Celebration of America’s Journalists” pre-party at Fiola Mare restaurant. The event is co-hosted by UTA co-president, Jay Sures, and Mediaite CEO, Dan Abrams.

Sures said in a statement: “UTA is thrilled to continue our tradition of bringing together journalists and voices from across the political aisle to celebrate the diversity of opinions that make our democracy stronger.”

From The Roots to The Hill, Grammy Award-winning musician Questlove is expected to DJ at the media outlet’s “Toast to Freedom of the Press” at the National Portrait Gallery. The Hill’s Friday night shindig promises to be a “celebration of politics without prejudice.” This is a departure from last year where The Hill hosted a pre-party with the entertainment TV show Extra and the Canadian Embassy.

Not happening this year due to scheduling conflicts: the Correspondents’ Jam hosted by Chuck Leavell, owner of the enviro-news outlet, Mother Nature Network. The event usually featured bands fronted by journalists with the occasional celebrity cameo appearance. Leavell is the touring keyboardist for the Rolling Stones who were supposed to be on tour right now, but those plans are on pause while frontman Mick Jagger recovers from heart surgery.

The Creative Coalition is opting out for the first time in years because of the congressional recess. “We would love to have been at the correspondents’ dinner, except we tie it to a day where we advocate for the arts to Congress, and Congress is out of session,” Creative Coalition CEO Robin Bronk told The Hill. Instead, the Coalition – with stars from “Madam Secretary,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Shameless” and more – will be coming to DC on May 9th for their annual #RightstoBearArts Capitol Hill Advocacy Day and Gala.

Not to worry, there will be plenty happening at the 26th annual White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch to keep people buzzing. This traditional Saturday afternoon gathering started by Tammy Haddad will honor military veterans and their families. Invited guests will attend the outdoor affair at the Beall-Washington House in Georgetown, currently owned by Mark and Sally Ein. The estate was once the home of the late Washington Post publisher, Katharine Graham. Stay tuned because we hear there will be a special guest to present a BIG gift to a well-deserving Purple Heart veteran. There will also be a presentation to an active duty officer by author and philanthropist Jean Case.

The big WHCA dinner, of course, takes place at the Washington Hilton. Chief Washington Correspondent for SiriusXM and president of the WHCA, Olivier Knox, says there will be changes this year, telling The Hill he “felt the dinner needed a reset, to be more serious, to put the focus back on journalism, on the job of chronicling a presidency and holding it to account.”

The reset includes swapping out a late-night TV host/comedian as the entertainment for Ron Chernow, best-selling and award-winning author. He wrote the biography of Alexander Hamilton that Lin-Manuel Miranda picked up, which led to the creation of the hit Broadway musical, “Hamilton.” You know, no biggie.

A number of after parties have already been announced for this year, but one not coming back is Playboy’s “No Tie After-Party.” The 2018 inaugural party was hosted by the adult magazine’s chief creative officer, Cooper Hefner, but they’ve decided to pass this time around.

Constance Zimmer and Michael Kelly at the 2015 Garden Brunch

Instead, folks can try to score an invite to Capitol File’s after-party at the Dupont Circle Hotel hosted by Michael Kelly of “House of Cards” or NBC/MSNBC’s “The After Party” at the Italian Embassy.

The Los Angeles Times is also getting in on the action. They’ve planned a fundraising after-party at the National Press Club to raise money for Austin Tice, a former U.S. Marine and an American freelance journalist who went missing in Syria over six years ago. #FreeAustinTice

On Sunday, Politico founder and publisher, Robert Allbritton, and his wife, Elena, will once again host their own garden brunch at their elegant Georgetown home. Party-goers can also opt to nurse their headaches at CNN’s Political Hangover Brunch – and as the invite says – “Laissez les bon temps rouler!” Let the Good Times Roll, indeed.

26th Annual White House Correspondents’ Weekend #GardenBrunch

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The 26th Annual White House Correspondents’ Weekend Garden Brunch will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2019 in Washington, D.C.

The brunch will be hosted by Tammy Haddad, Hilary Rosen, Jean and Steve Case, Mark and Sally Ein, Jennifer Dunn, Zac Moffatt, Greta Van Susteren & John Coale, Fritz Brogan, and Franco Nuschese. Comedian Jay Leno will be the special guest this year.

Our military heroes have shown us the true meaning of sacrifice, and we will honor veterans during the Garden Brunch with the Champions of Freedom Award and the Be Fearless Award.

Leno, along with Garden Brunch hosts and guests, will honor a deserving veteran who has demonstrated exemplary service to the United States. This recognition will be presented in partnership with Wells Fargo and Military Warriors Support Foundation.

Jean Case, alongside the other hosts, will also present the Garden Brunch Be Fearless Award in recognition of a veteran’s fearless leadership.

There will be a live stream available on Twitter @WHCInsider of guest arrivals starting at 11am ET and the stage program at approximately 12:15 pm ET. Join the conversation on Twitter using #GardenBrunch.

Watch Leno’s performance at the 2010 White House Correspondents Dinner.

WHC Garden Brunch Promises Big Surprises

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The 26th Annual White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch will once again honor U.S. military service members and their families on Saturday, April 27, 2019.

The Garden Brunch brings together journalists, politicos, lawmakers, and Hollywood stars to raise awareness for important causes. What started as a backyard tradition by WHC Insider’s Tammy Haddad has become a much-anticipated event to kick-off the day. In addition to Haddad, this year’s co-hosts include Hilary Rosen, Jean and Steve Case, Mark & Sally Ein, Jennifer Dunn, Zac Moffatt, Greta Van Susteren & John Coale, Fritz Brogan, and Franco Nuschese.

Watch highlights from the 2018 WHC Garden Brunch.

Politico Playbookers Gather at Uber

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Politico’s Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer react to a question from Uber’s Danielle Burr

Uber’s Head of Federal Affairs, Danielle Burr, turned the media tables on Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer to take the audience behind the scenes on their reporting for their new book, The Hill to Die On: The Battle for Congress and the Future of Trump’s America.

Burr asked about how The Hill to Die On authors were able to show Capitol Hill from the inside out. Sherman and Palmer described how they reported, including listening to member conference calls. They profiled legislative leaders — and their staffs — through these secret conversations, describing the power struggles that fuel Congressional politics.

Guests included: Greta Van Susteren and John Coale, Microsoft VP Fred Humphries, Uber’s Susan Hendrick, The Washington Post’s Kris Coratti, Bloomberg’s Craig Gordon, NRCC Executive Director Parker Poling, Variety’s Ted Johnson, VICE’s Shawna Thomas, Speaker Pelosi’s Chief of Staff Robert Edmonson, Rep. Will Herd’s COS John Byers, Rep. Dan Kildee’s COS Mitchell Rivard, and Minority Leader McCarthy’s Policy Chief, Will Dunham.