White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

President George Washington appears at White House Correspondents’ Annual Garden Brunch

By

Ian Kahn, who plays President George Washington, gave an impassioned speech celebrating a free press and the First Amendment at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch. Kahn presented Sergeant Major Sedrick Banks (Ret.), with a Visionary Award for his successes after recovering from severe combat injuries to owning his own small business. Banks was one of the first alums of veteran leadership initiative Dog Tag Bakery.

Kahn also said of the White House press corps and journalists who speak truth to power, “You are the front, you are fighting for liberty and for our freedoms. I think every day, ‘What would George Washington do?’ I think he would thank you. He would ask you to fight for your country.”

Kahn also appears in this season’s Billions series on Showtime.

For more photos from the 2017 #gardenbrunch click here.

VEEP’s Matt Walsh Champions National Endowment for the Arts at Garden Brunch 2017

By

Washington’s A-listers gathered with Hollywood celebrities at this year’s White House Correspondents Garden Brunch on the morning of the White House Correspondents Dinner to champion democracy and a free press and to speak up for worthy causes. Matt Walsh, who plays Press Secretary Mike McClintock on HBO’s VEEP and his wife, actress and cofounder of 10th Avenue Tea, Morgan Walsh, discussed their work championing the National Endowment for the Arts.

“We came here to support and advocate for [the National Endowment for the Arts]. We went around Congress trying to get people to appreciate that particular part of government support.”

Senator Mark Warner Talks About the Importance of a Free Press

By

Senator Mark Warner made an appearance at this year’s Garden Brunch to champion a free press on the morning of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. According to Senator Warner,“A free press keeps us all honest. A free press is a cornerstone of our American democracy.”

This year’s Garden Brunch celebrated the free press by partnering with Democracy Fund to raise awareness for all of the work they do to provide funding for independent journalism and state and local news outlets. Democracy Fund’s President, Joe Goldman, was awarded this year’s Visionary Award.

Inside the Ballroom at This Year’s White House Correspondents Dinner

By

Photo courtesy Haddad Media

Despite the absence of President Trump, last night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, had no shortage of star power.

The Daily Mail captured Plank Industries CEO Tom Geddes, CEO of Halcyon House Kate Goodall, and Volta Insider’s Rachel Greenberg seated at the Bloomberg table. Ringside was Senator Chris Coons, Shinola’s Tom Forrest, Working Nation Executive Producer Joan Lynch, Bloomberg’s Washington Bureau Chief Wes Kosova, CEO of Haddad Media Tammy Haddad, and Bloomberg TV anchor Vonnie Quinn.

This year’s Correspondents’ Dinner comedian was The Daily Show Correspondent Hasan Minhaj who, noting President Trump’s absence, said, “Even the president is not beyond the reach of the First Amendment.”

2017 Garden Brunch Photos

By

The 2017 Garden Brunch took place mid-day on Saturday, April 29th as all in attendance took time during this busy weekend to honor two pillars of democracy: veterans and their families, and a free and fair press.

Please enjoy this collection of photos of the event and countless wonderful participants, courtesy of Haddad Media.

Dog Tag Bakery Alum Sedrick Banks Receives Visionary Award at White House Correspondents Garden Brunch

By

Retired Sgt. Maj. Sedrick Banks speaks at the 2017 Garden Brunch. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

The White House Correspondents Weekend is in full swing as Washington insiders and Hollywood stars gather at Connie Milstein’s Georgetown home for the annual Garden Brunch. This year’s theme is supporting two pillars of democracy: veterans and their families, and a free and fair press. That’s why the hosts have awarded U.S. Army Sergeant Major Sedrick A. Banks (Retired), a Dog Tag Bakery fellow the Visionary Award for overcoming his combat injuries and creating a successful small business.

Mark Testoni talks hiring veterans with NS2 Serves at the 2017 Garden Brunch. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

Mark Testoni, President of SAP National Security Services (NS2). Testoni founded NS2 Serves, a nonprofit that trains and employs veterans in high-tech careers and Ian Kahn who plays George Washington presented him with the award.

According to Testoni, “U.S. Army Sergeant Major Sedrick Banks embodies perseverance.  In 2010, Sergeant Major Banks survived a mortar attack while deployed in Iraq. Like so many, he was left with both visible and invisible wounds. Defying the odds, he joined Dog Tag Inc’s program in 2014 in the hopes of turning his entrepreneurial dreams into reality. Sergeant Major Banks launched the Genuine Life Institute – a motivational coaching program.”

Samantha Bee’s White House Correspondent Dinner Weekend Comedy Special to be Broadcast on Twitter

By

Photo courtesy of Pixabay / Edar.

TBS “Full Frontal” Host Samantha Bee will host a red carpet roast of President Trump the night of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at D.A.R. Constitution Hall.  Today, she announced the entire event will be broadcast unedited and uncensored on Twitter.

“The teens who run our social media accounts said we should do this, and honestly, I was about three margaritas in at the time, so I guess it’s happening,” Bee stated in a release.

Bee also recently announced legendary musician and songwriter Elvis Costello and his band The Imposters will perform at the after-party held at the W Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The special will also air on TBS April 29th and 10 PM EST.  Proceeds from the event will go to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Obama’s “Anger Translator” Keegan-Michael Key to Attend Samantha Bee’s Correspondents’ Dinner Weekend Comedy Special

By

President Barack Obama delivers remarks with the help of comedic actor Keegan-Michael Key during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, D.C., April 25, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Keegan-Michael Key of “Key & Peele” fame has signed on to attend Samantha Bee’s “Not the White House Correspondents’ Dinner” event to be held on Saturday, April 29 at the D.A.R. Constitution Hall.

Key has a famous history with the White House Correspondents’ Dinner weekend, having portrayed his popular character “President Obama’s ‘Anger Translator’ Luther” alongside Obama during the President’s 2015 Dinner remarks.

Watch the clip below:

Other celebrities expected at Bee’s “Not the White House Correspondents’ Dinner” include Kal Penn of Designated Survivor, Gloria Steinem, Matt Walsh of Veep, and Padma Lakshimi from Top Chef.  Legendary singer and songwriter Elvis Costello and his band The Imposters are scheduled to perform at the after-party held at the W Hotel in Washington.

Elvis Costello Joins Samantha Bee’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner Weekend Comedy Special

By

Elvis Costello performing in 2006. Photo by Victor Diaz Lamich provided courtesy Wikipedia.

Legendary musician and songwriter Elvis Costello, known for smash hits “Allison” and “Veronica”, will be performing with his band The Imposters at the after-party following Samantha Bee’s “Not the White House Correspondents’ Dinner” comedy special.

Bee’s event is scheduled to take place at D.A.R. Constitution Hall a few hours before the April 29th annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. She has said her event is not an attempt to “supersede” the annual Correspondents’ Association dinner, but rather an attempt to celebrate the importance of a free press.

“We just want to be there in case something happens – or doesn’t happen. And ensure we get to properly roast the president,” Bee told the New York Times in January.

Proceeds for Bee’s event will benefit Committee to Protect Journalists, according to organizers. The show will be broadcast on TBS April 29th at 10PM EST.

Two Pillars of Democracy to be Honored at Annual White House Correspondents’ Weekend Garden Brunch

By

Vanessa K. Bush, Helen Mirren, April Ryan and King Chong at the 2016 White House Correspondents Weekend Garden Brunch. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

The White House Correspondents Weekend has always been full of presidents, politicians and Hollywood stars, but there is also the support of important causes.

The White House Correspondents Dinner scholarship fund for journalism students leads the weekend. The Annual #GardenBrunch raises awareness for causes that are close to their hearts each year. Here’s a look at some of the causes they have championed and some of the big names that have come out to show their support:

2012 – The White Ribbon Alliance, CURE Epilepsy
David Axelrod, Sarah Palin, Arianna Huffington, Rupert and Wendi Murdoch

 

2013 – Miss America Scholarship program, CURE Epilepsy
Kevin Spacey, Eric Cantor, Mallory Hogan – Miss America 2013, Sharon Stone, Travis Kalanick

 

2014 – Dog Tag Bakery, Blue Star Families
Michael Kelly, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mike Rogers, Patrick Stewart, Father Curry, Jose Andres, Joe Manchin, Reid Scott

2015 – Dog Tag Bakery, Blue Star Families, Partnership for Open and Fair Skies
Chris Matthews, Valerie Jarrett, Steve and Jean Case, Taya Kyle wife of American Sniper Chris Kyle, Craig Newmark, Katie Couric, Kathy-Roth Douquet, Joanna Coles, Chris Dodd

2016 – Halcyon House and Halcyon Incubator, Yellow Ribbons United, Playfield in the Park
Helen Mirren, Bryan Cranston, Rosario Dawson, Jeff Goldblum, Tony Goldwyn, Charlie Rose, Brian Stelter, Tina Tchen, Shelia Johnson, Daniela Lopez, Kevin Plank

The hosts announced today that this year they will honor two pillars of democracy: military veterans and a free press.

Read more about the Garden Brunch here:

WHC Brunch