White House Correspondents Insider

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

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.

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

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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.”

White House Correspondents’ Dinner In the News

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay / Geralt.

Hollywood’s D.C. Plans for White House Correspondents’ Dinner: No Trump? No Problem!

Hollywood Reporter, April 27, 2017

POTUS won’t be the only famous face absent from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Members in the past have filled their tables with the stars of such D.C.-centered shows as Scandal, Veep and House of Cards, but this year CNN and HuffPost will host student journalists, while Wall Street Journal staffers are bringing family. “We’re treating this event the way it was originally intended: for journalists, by journalists,” says Dow Jones communications director Steve Severinghaus.

The rise and fall — or maybe rebirth? — of the White House correspondents’ dinner

Washington Post, April 26, 2017

When Washington’s signature social event kicks off this weekend, Wolf Blitzer will not be dining with Ashton Kutcher.

Oscar winners will not clink cocktails along moonlit embassy balustrades. Distinguished political analysts will not tumble out of receptions with shoulder-straining gift bags stuffed with luxury cosmetics and gourmet organic cookies. The stars of “Saturday Night Live” will not lean in for selfies with Chuck Schumer.

What time is the White House Correspondents’ Dinner? And other burning questions answered!

Entertainment Weekly, April 27, 2017

This time last year, President Obama joked about the election, bid the Washington press adieu, and finally dropped the mic at his last White House Correspondents’ Dinner in office. Too bad nothing of major political significance has gone down since then and nobody will have anything to talk about this year, right?

Here’s How To Watch The 2017 White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Elite Daily, April 27, 2017

The annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner is on Saturday, April 29.

Traditionally, this is a star-studded event honoring members of the press through a night of lavish partying and comedy.

Will President Obama Attend The White House Correspondents’ Dinner?

Romper.com, April 27, 2017

Throughout President Obama’s eight years in office, much of the American public came to look forward to the end of April with a level of anticipation usually reserved for a movie premiere. For 20 minutes a year, the leader of the free world turned into a brilliant comedian. And with this year’s guest list still under wraps, one has to wonder, if President Obama attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner this year. White House Correspondents’ Association President Jeff Mason hinted at “a couple of surprises,” according to The Hill, and that certainly would be a good one.

Samantha Bee Interviewed By Lena Dunham About Not The White House Correspondents Dinner

Entertainment Weekly Canada, April 26, 2017

The power of social media is both a gift and a curse as far as Samantha Bee and Lena Dunham are concerned.  Dunham interviewed Bee for a feature in The Hollywood Reporter and you can bet the two Donald Trump detractors talked politics. The “Full Frontal” host reflected on the overwhelming attention she received the night of the U.S. presidential election. “I really felt a geyser of hatred was the day after the election — actually, the night of the election,” Bee explained. “I checked my Twitter mentions, and it was one of the last times I’ve checked it. I just went off. I just went dark.”

Trump Won’t Attend White House Correspondents’ Dinner – But Hillary Clinton Might

Heatstreet, April 27, 2017

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner was Washington’s premiere event during the Obama years but, under Trump, its star power has definitely declined. Unable to attract even the lesser Kardashians for the gala, rumor has it the event’s only celebrity will be the woman who lost the Presidential election.

Hasan Minhaj: Facts About White House Correspondents’ Dinner Host & ‘Daily Show’ Star

Hollywood Life, April 27, 2017

Who’s excited to see Hasan Minhaj host the 2017 White House Correspondents’ Dinner? It’s a tough event this year, but Hasan, hilarious and brutal with the truth, is the perfect pick for the job. Learn more about ‘The Daily Show’ star before the event!

 

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

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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.

Hasan Minjah Will Host This Year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner

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By DoD News photo by EJ Hersom [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Hasan Minjah, senior correspondent on “The Daily Show” and stand up comedian, will be this year’s headline entertainment for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

In a statement, Minjah said “it is a tremendous honor to be a part of such a historic event even though the president has chosen not to attend this year. SAD!”

Jeff Mason, White House Correspondents Association president and journalist for Reuters, said in announcing Minjah’s role at the dinner:

“I am thrilled that Hasan will serve as our featured entertainer at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Hasan’s smarts, big heart and passion for press freedom make him the perfect fit for our event, which will be focused on the First Amendment and the importance of a robust and independent media.”

Mason also said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that while President Trump will not be in attendance at the dinner, Minjah very likely will make jokes poking at both the press and the administration, but he “was not looking for someone who would roast the president in absentia.”

President Trump announced in February he will not attend this year’s dinner, making it the first time a sitting president will not be present since 1981, when Ronald Reagan was recovering from an assassination attempt. The White House later announced no staff would attend in “solidarity” with the president.

The White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner will be held on April 29 at the Washington Hilton.

MSNBC Announces White House Correspondents’ Dinner After-Party

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Photo courtesy Wikipedia.

MSNBC will be holding an after-party at the Organization of American States immediately following the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.

Unlike other organizations and outlets that have opted not to hold celebrations surrounding the annual dinner, MSNBC has chosen to move forward with its annual tradition.

“This evening has always been a celebration of the First Amendment and developing the next generation of correspondents,” an NBC spokesperson said. “In that spirit, we’ve historically supported deserving organizations, and will do so again this year through a donation to the National Press Club’s Scholarship for Journalism Diversity.”

The New Yorker and The Hill have opted not to host events during the weekend of the Correspondents’ Association dinner this year. Vanity Fair and Bloomberg have also announced they will not host their annual after-party.

In February, President Trump announced on Twitter that he would not attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the first time a sitting president was not in attendance since 1981 when Ronald Reagan recovered from an assassination attempt. Last month, the White House announced no staff would attend, in “solidarity” with the president.

“The WHCA board regrets this decision very much.  We have worked hard to build a constructive relationship with the Trump White House and believe strongly that this goal is possible even with the natural tension between the press and administrations that is a hallmark of a healthy republic,” WHCA president Jeff Mason said in a statement.

The White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner will be held on April 29th at the Washington Hilton. Proceeds from the event will go toward scholarships for upcoming journalist students.

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.

President Trump Still Welcome to Attend White House Correspondents’ Dinner

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Correspondents’ Dinner place setting. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

The White House Correspondents’ Association is keeping open the possibility that President Donald Trump may appear at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April. The president announced last month on Twitter that he would not attend.

“If President Trump changes his mind, he is welcome to attend the dinner,” said association President Jeff Mason of Reuters.

There have been no announcements yet on who would be at the head table if Trump does not attend. Traditionally, members of the WHCA board sit on stage, joined by the president, first lady, vice president, White House press secretary and entertainment.

President Trump has attended events in the past where he had declined invitations, such as a post-election interview with the New York Times.

C-SPAN political editor and former WHCA president Steve Scully commented on this possibility. “President Trump is the master showman so he may decide to attend at the last minute, but I doubt it.”

The president has attended every White House Correspondents’ Dinner since 1981, when Ronald Reagan missed as he was recovering from an assassination attempt. Reagan called the dinner and addressed the crowd over the phone. Jimmy Carter was the last president to decline an invitation to the annual dinner.

The Association Dinner will be held on April 29. Proceeds from the event go toward scholarships for emerging journalism students.

Bloomberg Cancels Correspondents’ Dinner Afterparty

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Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

Bloomberg L.P. will not host its popular afterparty following the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner this year, as reported first by Mike Allen at Axios.

As per a spokesperson with Bloomberg:

“We surveyed some of the past attendees and didn’t get as much interest in a party this year as we’ve had in the past, so we decided to focus on the dinner and the WHCA.”

Vanity Fair — Bloomberg’s long term co-host for this annual afterparty – had announced earlier this month it would not participate.

Strong interest in tickets by news organizations suggests the Correspondents’ dinner will be sold out again this year, as always.

Major Garrett: If the Press Skips the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, We’d Prove Trump’s Point

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay / Geralt.

Major Garrett, CBS Chief White House Correspondent, wrote an op ed in the Post Friday to reaffirm his commitment to the Correspondents’ Association and their annual dinner.  He urged the media and celebs to appear in order to celebrate the important work of covering the White House and use the dinner to shine a spotlight on educating young journalists, something we need now more than ever.

The Correspondents’ Association sponsors over $100,000 in scholarships awarded at the annual dinner.  In 2016, the association began a mentoring program pairing students with members of the WHCA for career advice and counsel.

Garrett argues that journalists that regularly attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, but won’t this year because of President Trump, are applying a double-standard.

[N]o self-respecting White House reporter has ever been a president’s prom date, and the dinner isn’t a date at all. It’s a cease-fire with bad wine and crowded tables. And if we, the media, stand Trump up at the proverbial dance because we’re pining for another “date,” we make it that much easier for him to say we’re playing favorites. And in this case, at least, he’d be right.

He makes the point that several media outlets have ignored the dinner for several years.  Dean Baquet of The New York Times said in 2011 that his organization has stopped attending because “it just feels like it sends the wrong signal to our readers and viewers, like we are all in it together and it is all a game. It feels uncomfortable.”

However, for those outlets that regularly have attended, avoiding this year’s dinner because of President Trump is hypocritical and sends the wrong message.  “If the dinner were canceled because (gasp!) a president made a few snide remarks about White House reporters, that act of self-regard would say that the First Amendment is negotiable and that emotional well-being takes precedence over professional responsibilities. For myself and for my colleagues on the beat, let me say unequivocally: never.”

Instead, Garrett concludes, media outlets should address the perceived challenges and threats of a new administration hostile to the press by renewing their commitment to the WHCA dinner and the First Amendment.

Garret is a former White House Correspondents’ Association board member.