White House Correspondents Insider

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

New Volta Insider Podcast: Rachel Greenberg interviews Jay Leno, Jean Case and Alice Tapper

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Rachel Greenberg, the host of Volta Insider, interviewing Jay Leno on the red carpet of the 2019 White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch

In the latest episodes of Volta Insider, Rachel Greenberg finds inspiration at the 2019 White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch. The three new episodes each feature a different message that will inspire you to be more fearless, serve others, and help you to encourage the young women in your life to raise their hand and use their voice.

Greenberg spoke with Jean Case, author of “Be Fearless” about what steps we can each take in our lives to be more fearless both personally and professionally. Find out what being fearless means to MSNBC anchors Ali Velshi and Stephanie Ruhle, activist and makeup artist Bailey Bolden, actor Michael Kelly, and US Army Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management, Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham. LTG Bingham took home the “Be Fearless” award at this year’s Garden Brunch.

Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham, Don Lemon and Alice Tapper at the 2019 White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch. Alice Paul Tapper is the author of the book “Raise Your Hand”

The next podcast is with Alice Paul Tapper, Girl Scout and author of the book “Raise Your Hand.” When Alice noticed girls in her class – including herself – weren’t raising their hands as often as the boys, she talked to her mom about it who suggested Alice bring it up with her Girl Scout Troop. She did, and now there is a new patch which Girl Scouts earn for participating in events and activities.

The third podcast is with legendary comedian and TV host Jay Leno who was at this year’s Garden Brunch to help honor veterans. He shared how we can all do our part to support veterans and military families. 

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.

Subscribe to Volta Insider on iTunes here.

Follow Rachel Greenberg on Twitter @VoltaInsider 

In satisfying ‘Veep’ finale, Selina gets what she wanted — and the final indignity she deserved

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The Washington Post
By Hank Stuever
TV critic
May 13 at 1:56 AM
Spoiler alert: This review discusses the series finale of “Veep.”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer in the series finale of “Veep.” (Colleen Hayes/HBO) 

A fond and appropriately bitter farewell, then, to the beautifully shriveled heart of HBO’s pitch-perfect Washington satire “Veep,” which ended Sunday night with the fullest possible symphony of f-bombs, c-words and manic maneuverings, as its antihero, Selina Meyer (the incomparable Julia Louis-Dreyfus), finally got what she always wanted — the presidency of the United States — only to have live coverage of her state funeral (24 years later) interrupted by the breaking news that actor Tom Hanks had died.

Selina’s victory didn’t come easily, because nothing in Selina’s inglorious career as a public servant ever did. You’ll be thrilled to know that she never found happiness.

But viewers certainly did. In a satisfyingly conclusive, supersized episode (written and directed by “Veep” showrunner David Mandel, who took over from the show’s creator, Armando Iannucci, a few seasons back) “Veep” luxuriated one final time in history-making swerves of political fate, echoing the bizarre events that had previously landed Selina in the Oval Office for a term that was so short it’s why they invented asterisks.

This time, Selina’s party (the show was always coy about which party she belonged to) was split among feuding nominees, leading to the first deadlocked convention in almost 70 years. Selina had to scrape and connive her way to her party’s nomination at its 2020 convention in Charlotte. The harder she tried to win over more delegates, the more she lost — leading to the horrifying prospect that the imbecilic, upwards-failing Jonah Ryan (Timothy Simons) might secure the nomination.

Jonah’s improbable rise with voters this season was “Veep’s” lone, slight nod to real-life American politics and the Trump administration. The more reprehensible he became, the more he looked like a sure bet. Even poor Amy Brookheimer (Anna Chlumsky), who suffered years as Selina’s chief of staff and later campaign manager, found a new kind of political salvation on Jonah’s campaign. Instead of fighting stupidity, she teased her hair and went on TV to argue, in a Kellyanne Conway-ish way, that facts are just opinions.

For the past two seasons, some viewers (and certainly a lot of reporters and critics) have asked how “Veep” could possibly compete with the real headlines of the day. The show’s answer, usually, was to deliver story lines that were inventively absurd and even funnier than anything lampooned on “Saturday Night Live” or in late-night monologues. It was a tad disappointing to watch as “Veep” subtly acquiesced in these last few episodes to the idea that it must somehow weigh in on actual events, lining its subplots with foreign governments interfering in elections (China, in Selina’s case) and the rise of a candidate who subverts everything we once knew about traditional campaigning and leadership.

Happily, the finale leaned far more on “Veep’s” established strengths as a work of fiction. More than anything, viewers will miss the repulsive rat-a-tat dialogue of Selina in high dudgeon — it was the show’s core, the reason Louis-Dreyfus won an impressive six Emmys in a row for the role.

When her rival and former lover Tom James (Hugh Laurie) tried to step into the race as a last-minute savior/solution to the convention’s deadlocked votes, Selina delivered what may have been one of the most deliciously scorching diatribes to James’s aide, Michelle York (“Better Call Saul’s” Rhea Seehorn).

Can I repeat it here? Not much of it, except: “I just hate to see smart women throw their political careers away on men who only see them as the [slur for a body part] of least resistance.”

It worked. The next day, Michelle appeared on the news shows, accusing James of sexual harassment. And just like that, Selina’s final obstacles begin to fall away. Against everyone’s pleading, she makes Jonah her Veep, for no one knows better than Selina what an inescapable purgatory of insignificance that job can be. It’s a suitable punishment.

Selina made other decisions that were painful but necessary; one led to permanent estrangement from her emotionally fragile daughter, Catherine (Sarah Sutherland), and the other landed her loyal bagman, Gary Walsh (Tony Hale, who provided so many of the show’s funniest moments), in federal prison.

Gary, now old and paroled, came to Selina’s funeral anyhow. “You’d hate the flowers,” he whispered to her casket, leaving a tube of her favorite lipstick atop it.

Sentiment and genuine emotion was hardly ever “Veep’s” forte, but it was hard not to feel a little wistful at its passing. Mandel and his outstanding cast made sure everyone got more or less what they deserved. Thankfully, most of them left politics — except the enigmatically good-natured Richard Splett (Sam Richardson), who became a popular two-term president and Nobel Peace Prize winner. It was as if “Veep” was telling us that the nation’s future may yet wind up in better hands.

26th Annual White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch Video

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Watch highlights from the 26th annual White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch which was held at the Beall-Washington House in Georgetown on Saturday, April 27, 2019.

This year’s event honored active duty and retired military members and their families. We also celebrated journalism and our First Amendment rights.

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 included Hilary Rosen, Jean and Steve Case, Mark & Sally Ein, Jennifer Dunn, Zac Moffatt, Greta Van Susteren & John Coale, Fritz Brogan, and Franco Nuschese.

2019 WHC Garden Brunch Media Coverage

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Following are highlights of media coverage of the 26th Annual White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch, hosted on Saturday, April 27 at the Beall-Washington House in Georgetown.

Washington Post: No president, no celebs, no problem: The White House correspondents’ dinner crowd parties on
“You would call it a ban, wouldn’t you?” (Kellyanne Conway) asked, reflexively slipping into media-critic mode. The president didn’t mean that no one who works for him could attend parties, she explained, just not the dinner. “Besides, they’re our neighbors!” she said of the Bradleys, who live in embassy-heavy Observatory Circle. “I couldn’t be rude!” So Conway was free to mix it up with Adrienne Arsht and other A-listers under the lovely tent in her neighbor’s backyard. The next day, she appeared again at the A-list pre-party known as the Garden Brunch wearing a butterfly-printed romper, breezing past Jay Leno to air-kiss Greta Van Susteren.”

The Hill: Rod Rosenstein, Jay Leno chat at correspondents’ weekend brunch
“At the brunch bash, Leno surprised U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Angela Morales-Biggs with some new wheels. The Purple Heart recipient asked if Leno was joking when he presented her the keys to a new Nissan Pathfinder — a gift sponsored by Wells Fargo and Jones Junction auto group. “No, you think I’m a comedian that I’m joking?” Leno exclaimed to Morales-Biggs.”

New York Times: Perspective, Not Parody, at a Subdued Correspondents’ Dinner
“Once a high point of the Washington social calendar, the dinner has lost some of its glamour since Mr. Trump came to town…At a charity brunch on Saturday hosted by the Washington doyenne Tammy Haddad, Jay Leno was the featured guest — and even he seemed unimpressed. “We’ve pretty much reached the bottom of the barrel here,” the former “Tonight Show” host quipped of his appearance.”

POLITICO Playbook: Inside the WHCD weekend
“SPOTTED at the Garden Brunch at the Beall-Washington house Saturday morning, part of the White House Correspondents Dinner weekend, which celebrates the First Amendment, the Washington press corps and the job of D.C. journalists: Kellyanne Conway, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Rudy Giuliani.”

Historian Ron Chernow Launches Comedy Career at WHCD

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The annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner took place Saturday night at the Washington Hilton. With President Donald Trump opting out of the dinner for the third year in a row – and instructing Administration officials to avoid the event as well – the event took on more of a subdued tone.

Historian Ron Chernow was the guest speaker, a departure from the tradition of featuring comedians as entertainment for the evening. Chernow managed to strike a balance between humorous moments and historical perspective during his 30 minute speech.

While his approach may have been more subtle than that of previous dinner entertainers, Chernow didn’t avoid commentary directed at the president. “Washington committed only one major blunder as president: He failed to put his name on Mount Vernon and thereby bungled an early opportunity at branding…Clearly deficient in the art of the deal, the poor man had to settle for the lowly title of father of his country. A very sad story.”

In an interview with the New York Times, President Trump’s former chief economic advisor, Gary Cohn, said of Chernow’s remarks, “It was perfectly spot-on for the time and for where we are in the world. It sort of hit the spot.”

Read more via nytimes.com: Perspective, Not Parody, at a Subdued Correspondents’ Dinner

Photo Gallery: 2019 WHC Garden Brunch

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

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 included Hilary Rosen, Jean and Steve Case, Mark & Sally Ein, Jennifer Dunn, Zac Moffatt, Greta Van Susteren & John Coale, Fritz Brogan, and Franco Nuschese.

View highlights from the brunch in the gallery below.

26th Annual White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch Honors Military Service Members, Veterans and their Families

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America’s military heroes have shown us the true meaning of sacrifice. To honor active duty and retired military members and their families, the 2019 White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch presented awards to deserving recipients who have demonstrated exemplary service to our country. The event also put a spotlight on organizations that support military service members, veterans and their families, in addition to celebrating journalism and our First Amendment rights during the afternoon prior to the 2019 White House Correspondents’ Association’s annual dinner.

Held at Katharine Graham’s Beall-Washington House, which is owned by brunch co-hosts Mark and Sally Ein, guests of the 26th edition of this White House Correspondents’ Weekend tradition included journalists, elected officials, celebrities, and other notable individuals.

This year’s Garden Brunch was hosted by Tammy Haddad, Hilary Rosen, Jean and Steve Case, Mark and Sally Ein, Jennifer Dunn, Zac Moffatt, Greta Van Susteren and John Coale, Fritz Brogan, and Franco Nuschese.

CNN’s Don Lemon and Jake Tapper emceed the program which also featured comments from brunch co-hosts Rosen, Ein and Haddad.

Co-host Jean Case presented the WHC Garden Brunch Be Fearless Award in recognition of a veteran’s fearless leadership. She honored Lt. General Gwendolyn Bingham who has broken barriers and served the country with distinction throughout her more than 30 years in the U.S. Army. Bingham is one of the few 3-star female general offices in Army history, and she is the recipient of numerous campaign and service medals.

Special guest Jay Leno also took the stage to present a 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 in a presentation sponsored by Wells Fargo and the Military Warriors Support Foundation. The automobile was provided by Jones Junction Auto Group.

As part of Wells Fargo’s commitment to helping veterans, they have partnered with the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Transportation4Heroes program to provide support to combat-wounded veterans and Gold Star Families as they transition out of the military and into civilian life.

Leno, who has hosted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner more times than anyone else in the event’s history, was also presented with a cake and the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to celebrate his 69th birthday on Sunday, April 28.

Blue Star Families, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, also brought several military members and their spouses as guests to the Garden Brunch.

Salesforce was also a sponsor of this year’s brunch. Additional support and food for the event was provided by Georgetown Cupcakes, Dog Tag Bakery and Compass Coffee.

The bipartisan crowd of brunch guests included Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein; Kellyanne Conway, Counselor to President Donald Trump; Valerie and Laura Jarrett, former senior adviser to President Barack Obama; Rep. Debbie Dingell, Rep. Don & Megan Beyer, Rep. David Cicilline and Rep. Lauren Underwood; John Delaney, former Congressman and presidential hopeful; Irish Ambassador to the U.S. Daniel Mulhall; the President’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani; actor Michael Kelly from Amazon’s “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”; former U.S. Solicitor General, Ted Olson; Amb. Lloyd and Ann Hand; MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle and Ali Velshi; CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Jake Tapper, Don Lemon, Kate Bolduan, Alisyn Camerota and Pamela Brown; NBC’s Kasie Hunt; Bob Costa, David Rubenstein, Ben Ginsberg, Niki Christoff, Teresa Carlson, Lt. Gen. Gwendolyn Bingham (Assistant Chief of Staff, U.S. Army), Purple Heart recipient MSgt. Angela Morales-Biggs (U.S. Air Force), David Rubenstein, Stephanie Schriock, Gary Knell, Fred Ryan, David Adler, Jennifer Dunn, Kris Coratti, Susan Hendrick, Tom and Corrine Hoare, Jay Fielden, Craig Gordon, Leana Wen and Betsy Fischer Martin.

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.