President Joe Biden is gearing up to deliver a highly anticipated election-year roast at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner this Saturday night. However, this year’s event is overshadowed by growing protests over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war.
Traditionally, the dinner is a platform for presidents to poke fun at the media and political opponents. Biden, like his predecessors, has used this opportunity to take jabs at coverage of his administration and rivals, including former President Donald Trump.
But with protesters planning to gather outside the venue, Biden’s jokes will need to strike a delicate balance. Criticism of the administration’s support for Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has sparked protests on college campuses, with students demanding divestment from Israel.
As Biden takes the stage before a crowd of 3,000, including journalists, celebrities, and politicians, the spotlight will also be on the dangers faced by journalists covering conflicts worldwide. The imprisonment of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in Russia and the plight of journalists in Gaza will likely be highlighted.
Outside the venue, protesters accuse U.S. journalists of underreporting the war and misrepresenting the situation. Chants of “Free, free Palestine” echo as demonstrators call attention to the high number of journalists killed in the conflict.
Law enforcement has ramped up security measures to ensure the safety of attendees and demonstrators. Despite the controversy surrounding the event, the dinner is expected to proceed, with entertainer Colin Jost from Saturday Night Live set to follow Biden’s speech.
The clash between the glitz and glamour of the dinner and the somber reality of conflict and journalistic peril sets the stage for a night that promises both laughter and reflection.