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White House Correspondents’ Dinner Comedian Ousted After “Murderers” Remark
The White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) has replaced the scheduled comedian for its annual dinner following controversial remarks made on a podcast. Amber Ruffin, initially slated to perform at the upcoming event, was removed after stating that the Trump administration was staffed with “murderers.”
WHCA Board Unanimously Votes to Remove Ruffin
The association’s board of directors convened and unanimously decided to withdraw Ruffin’s invitation to perform at the prestigious annual dinner. Eugene Daniels, president of the WHCA, announced the decision, emphasizing the need to keep the focus on journalistic achievement rather than divisive politics.
In a memo, Daniels expressed his desire to ensure “the focus is not on the politics of division but entirely on awarding our colleagues.” While the WHCA president’s statement did not explicitly name Ruffin, it indicated a shift in direction and alluded to a “re-envisioning of our dinner.”
Controversial Podcast Remarks Trigger Dismissal
The decision to dismiss Ruffin followed her recent appearance on a podcast with the Daily Beast where she discussed the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. During the podcast, Ruffin asserted that the Trump White House was populated by “murderers” and dehumanized the administration, describing them as “not human beings.”
White House Reacts to Comedian’s Statements
Taylor Budowich, White House Deputy Chief of Staff, publicly responded to Ruffin’s podcast comments. Budowich shared a clip of Ruffin’s remarks on his X account, criticizing the comedian. In his post, Budowich questioned the selection of a “2nd rate comedian” who previewed the event by labeling the administration as “murderers.”
Budowich further quoted Ruffin’s statements suggesting that the Trump administration should not be perceived as human. He then questioned the judgment of journalists attending and companies sponsoring an event he characterized as “hate-filled and violence-inspiring.”
Initial Selection Praised Ruffin’s “Unique Talents”
Paradoxically, when Daniels initially announced Ruffin as the featured entertainer, he lauded her suitability for the event. He stated that her “unique talents are the ideal fit for this current political and cultural climate.”
Daniels had further commented on how Ruffin’s comedic approach would align with the dinner’s tradition: “Her perspective will fit right in with the dinner’s tradition of honoring the freedom of the press while roasting the most powerful people on all sides of the aisle and the journalists who cover them.”
WHCA Dinner Tradition and Presidential Attendance
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a long-standing tradition since 1921, has become renowned for incorporating political satire into a formal setting. Entertainers are typically invited to deliver comedic performances that often target political figures and the media.
Former President Trump notably refrained from attending the dinner throughout his presidency. He and his administration consistently voiced criticism towards the event and past comedic performances.
Currently, it remains uncertain whether President Trump will attend this year’s dinner. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has already declared her intention to abstain from the event.
Leavitt Announces Boycott, Criticizes WHCA
Speaking on ‘The Sean Spicer Show,’ Leavitt articulated her reasons for boycotting the dinner. She framed the WHCA as an organization that originated to address a perceived lack of press conferences from past presidents.
Leavitt stated, “This is a group of journalists who’ve been covering the White House for decades… They started this organization because the presidents at the time were not doing enough press conferences. I don’t think we have that problem anymore under this president.”
Historically, every US president since Calvin Coolidge in 1924 has participated in the WHCA dinner at least once, with the exception of President Trump’s first term. Presidents across administrations, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Barack Obama, have utilized the event for self-deprecating humor amidst journalistic scrutiny.
However, Trump’s previous non-attendance broke with this custom. Leavitt is now amplifying this stance by not only boycotting but also publicly rebuking the WHCA, labeling it a “monetized monopoly.”
Leavitt further accused the WHCA of exclusivity, arguing it has “not really welcomed other people, new media, independent journalists, with open arms.”