White House Correspondents Insider

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

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

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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:

30th Anniversary Garden Brunch

Trump Family Hosts White House Easter Egg Roll

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Photo courtesy the White House.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted their first White House Easter Egg Roll, amidst recent doubts the event would even take place.

With weather being overcast and cool on Monday, the Trumps welcomed children and their families from across the nation to partake in the 139-year tradition, with crowds approaching 20,000 people expected. About 200 volunteers – a fifth of the normal number – staffed the event.

Guests participated in activities beyond the egg rolling itself, including an egg hunt, decorating cookies, writing letters to U.S. troops, participating in a Minecraft coding activity with volunteers from Microsoft, and characters such as the Easter Bunny and Sesame Street’s Elmo.

Addressing the crowd, the President thanked the crowds and the soldiers deployed around the globe.

“We will be stronger and bigger and better as a nation than ever before and we are right on track…. Thanks you everybody for coming. We’re going to do cards for soldiers. Melania and Barron and myself are going to sign some cards for some great troops… We’re going come out and join you… for a great Easter egg roll.”

The first lady also addressed the participants, saying it was the “first time my husband and I are hosting this wonderful tradition. It’s great that all of you are here with us today. I want to thank the military band, staff and all the volunteers who worked tirelessly to make sure you enjoy the activities.”

At 10:30 AM, as a slight rain slowed to a drizzle, the Trumps joined scores of children waiting to begin.

“I’ve seen those kids and they’re highly, highly competitive,” the president said.

How important is President Trump’s Easter Egg Roll? This year Mark Halperin was on site as well as the usual morning show hosts including the Today Show’s Al Roker.

Kellyanne Conway and Sean Spicer Explain Why President Trump is Skipping out on This Year’s White House Correspondents Dinner

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Photo courtesy Newseum.

Wednesday’s Newseum Press Summit offered it’s fair share of newsworthy moments with one-on-one’s with both Press Secretary Sean Spicer and Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway. Both of them fielded questions about their place in the controversial new administration during its first 100 days, and they each gave some clues as to why President Trump and his administration have decided to skip out on the White House Correspondents Dinner this year.

Photo courtesy Haddad Media

Sean Spicer seemed to answer that question when asked by Greta Van Susteren about the decision to boycott the event, saying, “The relationship [with the press] and the coverage we have gotten, I don’t think we should fake it.”

Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

“I don’t think watching a bunch of celebrities walk by is any indication how much you care about and respect the press,” he added.

According to Variety, Kellyanne Conway cited “the unhappiness with the way that the administration has been covered [in the news media] and that it was a ‘two way’ street of responsibility.”

Conway added, “There is a selectivity there also — what do we choose to highlight and allow to recede into the background.”

You can read more about their comments here: http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/kellyanne-conway-criticizes-trump-media-coverage-1202029112/

Legendary Bob Schieffer Says To Undermine Media is to Undermine The Nation in Stunning Newseum Speech

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Photo courtesy Haddad Media

Former CBS News “Face the Nation” moderator Bob Schieffer, one of the most widely recognized reporters of our time, delivered the concluding address today at “The President and the Press: The First Amendment in the First 100 Days” at the Newseum.

Addressing the rise of “fake news” and distractions used as political tools by campaigns, Schieffer used the example of the presidential election.

“No matter what the conversation people are having at a dinner party, if you throw a dead cat in the middle of the table, the conversation immediately turns to the dead cat. Donald Trump threw cats dead and alive on the table… And suddenly the attention was back on what he was talking about and on him,” Schieffer said.

Turning to the animosity with some government officials and the low public approval rating of the media, Schieffer concluded that journalists cannot dwell on name-calling.

“This year they hung less clever but really nasty names on us. This is all part of the job. It is something that we all know about and expect. That part is not to be taken seriously.”

Schieffer concluded by challenging journalists and the media to remain dedicated to the purpose of the industry, saying they “must give people news to improve their lives.”

“I have been a reporter for sixty years. And I have never been prouder of my profession than I am today.”

Bob Schieffer has been active in journalism since 1963, starting at the Dallas Star-Telegram. He has worked at CBS News since 1969 and moderated the Sunday CBS news show Face the Nation from 1991 to 2015.

Newseum Hosts Trump Press Sec Sean Spicer and Kellyanne Conway for Press Summit, Discusses First Amendment, Democracy, and Media

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Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

On Tuesday, the Newseum was ground zero for a discussion on the the First Amendment, democracy, the Trump White House, and the press, from the people who are in the spotlight everyday. Panelists included current and former White House Press Secretaries led by Sean Spicer, Jen Palmieri, and Ari Fleischer, Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist David Fahrenthold, and writers Glenn Thrush, Mike Allen, Michael Wolff, Charlie Spiering, David Kirkpatrick, and commentators like the legendary Bob Schieffer, Brian Stelter, Bret Baier, Greta Van Susteren, Kristen Welker, Julie Pace, Carrie Budoff Brown, and Cecilia Vega.

Press Secretary Sean Spicer made headlines by continuing his apology tour for comments he made in a press briefing Monday concerning the atrocities committed by Hitler and Assad saying, “I have let the president down,” and calling his comments “inexcusable.”

Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

Presidential Counselor Kellyanne Conway, in conversation with author Michael Wolff, graded the presidency so-far and gave it an “I” for incomplete, saying it was “Too early to tell,” what would happen.

Photo courtesy Haddad Media

The New York Times’ Glenn Thrush, in a panel moderated by FOX’s Bret Baier, said, “The presidency shapes the president, not the other way around.” Breitbart’s Charlie Spiering said of senior advisor to Present Trump Steve Bannon that “[He] probably talks more to the New York Times these days than Breitbart.”

Schedule of the day’s events:

WELCOME

Jeffrey Herbst, President and CEO of the Newseum

SESSION 1: THE PRESS AS A WATCHDOG

Guest: David Fahrenthold, The Washington Post

SESSION 2: COMMUNICATING FOR THE PRESIDENT

Moderator: Mike Allen, Co-Founder and Executive Editor, Axios

Guests:

Ari Fleischer, Former White House Press Secretary for President George W. Bush

Jennifer Palmieri, Former White House Communications Director for President Barack Obama

SESSION 3: CONVERSATION WITH WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY SEAN SPICER

Moderator: Greta Van Susteren, MSNBC Anchor

Guest: Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary

SESSION 4: COVERING THE TRUMP WHITE HOUSE

Moderator: Bret Baier, Fox News Anchor

Guests:

Jim Acosta, White House Correspondent, CNN

Julie Pace, White House Correspondent, Associated Press; board member, White House Correspondents Association

Charlie Spiering, White House Correspondent, Breitbart News

Glenn Thrush, White House Correspondent, The New York Times

Kristen Welker, White House Correspondent, NBC News

SESSION 5: CONVERSATION WITH KELLYANNE CONWAY, COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT

Moderator: Michael Wolff, The Hollywood Reporter

Guest: Kellyanne Conway, Counselor to the President

SESSION 6: FUTURE OF NEWS IN A DIVIDED AND CONNECTED WORLD

Moderator: Brian Stelter, CNN

Guests:

Carrie Budoff Brown, Editor, Politico

David Kirkpatrick, journalist and author of “The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company That Is Connecting the World”

Cecilia Vega, White House Correspondent, ABC News

SESSION 7: A LOOK TO THE FUTURE

Guest: Bob Schieffer, former CBS News Anchor

Greta Van Susteren One-on-One with WH Press Sec Sean Spicer at the Newseum

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Photo courtesy Haddad Media

The Newseum hosted a landmark event on Tuesday, The President and the Press: The First Amendment in the First 100 Days. As part of the series of talks, Greta Van Susteren interviewed White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who address his role in the Trump administration, the next policy pushes from the White House, and some of the recent comments he made that have made news.

Sean Spicer said of tax reform, “it’s going to take some months,” before we see a plan.

Spicer also offered an apology for his comments about World War II from the previous day saying, “I have let the president down,” and calling his comments “inexcusable.”

Van Susteren asked about the White House’s decision to skip the Correspondent’s Dinner this year. According to Spicer, “This is not the appropriate year to go…I don’t think we should fake it.”

Creative Coalition’s “Right to Bear Arts” Day of Advocacy and Gala Dinner White House Correspondents Dinner Weekend

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Jawbone’s Hosain Rahman, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Tammy Haddad and Tim Daly. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

A delegation of Hollywood stars will arrive in Washington the weekend of the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner to promote and advocate funding for the arts.

The nonpartisan arts charity of the entertainment industry, The Creative Coalition will sponsor their annual gala and Advocacy Day, the “Right to Bear Arts,” the weekend of the Correspondent’s Dinner at the nation’s capitol.

Delegation members include Matt Walsh (“Veep”), Alyssa Milano (“Mistresses”), Justin Bartha (“The Hangover”), Wendi McLendon-Covey (“The Goldbergs”), Aaron Staton (“Mad Men”), Nick Sandow (“Orange is the New Black”), Denis O’Hare (“American Horror Story”) and Sarah Wayne Callies (“Prison Break”). Additional sponsors include the organization’s President actor Tim Daly (“Madam Secretary”) and Creative Coalition CEO Robin Bronk.

It had been speculated that Hollywood may sit out this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner weekend festivities as a protest against President Donald Trump. Trump announced on Twitter in February he would not attend the Correspondents’ dinner, which raises money for exceptional journalism scholarships and is a celebration of the First Amendment.

The dinner is Co-Chaired by Todd Hitt, Hitt Construction; Lori Gordon, Cardinal Health and Michael Mimeles.

The Creative Coalition was founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community. Its mission is to educate, mobilize and activate members on important issues in the arts and entertainment communities.

Breitbart Application for Permanent Congressional Press Passes Rejected

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Photo courtesy Pixabay.

Breitbart News, the right-wing online news site formerly run by White House Chief Strategist Stephen Bannon, has been denied permanent press credentials by the U.S. Senate press gallery.

The press gallery has requested Breitbart to clarify questions about its ownership and funding, such as several links between the site and employees and the wealthy Mercer family, who supported President Trump during the 2016 election.  According to the Wall Street Journal, the Mercers spent $10 million in acquiring a majority interest in Breitbart News in 2011.

Senate passes are often seen as a step toward membership in the White House Correspondents Association, which would allow being part of the official White House “pool” of journalists that file reports on the president and administration activities.

Any media outlet wishing to obtain permanent access to the Capitol through press passes are required to reveal certain financial information to guarantee the news organization is not tied to a special interest group.

Additionally, the Senate press gallery committee was concerned over the office location of Breitbart, which is not zoned for office use.  Breitbart had said it was in the process of moving offices.

The committee has granted a two-month extension on Breitbart’s temporary press passes, and requested new information on the application by April 18.

Heather Podesta + Partners Rebrands as Invariant

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Heather Podesta at the GOP Convention in 2016. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

The powerful bipartisan lobbying firm founded by Heather Podesta a decade ago is rebranding itself as Invariant.

Heather Podesta + Partners started out with two employees – including its namesake, Heather.  After the first year, the firm boasted a roster of six lobbyists.  Today, the multi-million dollar firm is the largest woman-owned lobbying firm in the nation and prides itself on professionals working with key policymakers across party lines.

Podesta said in a statement that “Now in our 10th year, this firm is so much bigger than just me. We need a name that captures our team’s commitment to clients. The more Washington changes, the more our clients need us to be constant. Dependable. Invariant.”

Clients include the American Beverage Association, Cigna Corp, News Media Alliance, Fitbit, Red Bull, Herbalife, the National Cannabis Industry Association, Prudential Financial and Home Depot.

The firm’s name change is effective as of March 29.  For more information, please visit their website at Invariantgr.com.

Time and People Cancel Their White House Correspondents’ Pre-Party

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Time and People Magazines will not hold their annual cocktail reception the night before the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner this year.

“Time Inc. will not be hosting its annual Time/People party at the St. Regis during this year’s WHCA weekend.  As usual, Time will be participating in the WHCA Dinner,” a spokeswoman said.

The reception has been recognized as a star-studded event during the Correspondents’ Association dinner weekend.

The magazines’ decision follows other organizations’ decisions to cancel festivities surrounding the Dinner.  The New Yorker and Vanity Fair announced in January they opted not to hold their respective parties this year.  Bloomberg followed in announcing theirs cancelled in February.

President Trump announced on Twitter that he would not attend the annual dinner, held on April 29th at the Washington Hilton.  The last time a president did not attend the dinner was in 1981, when Ronald Reagan was recovering from an assassination attempt.  Reagan did send a video message.