Every Year since 1920, the White House hosts what is called the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner to hand out scholarships to talented college students enrolled in college journalism programs.
But the dinner is also Washington's yearly opportunity to present its humor and for celebrities to mingle with other prominent superstars including sports figures, politicians, and business leaders.
The dinner starts with the president delivering a humorous speech and is concluded with an entertainer chosen each year by the White House Correspondents’ Association. This year, Larry Wilmore, current host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, was the entertainer at the dinner.
Last night, President Obama delivered a hilarious riff for his final stand-up comedy routine at his last White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Many prominent celebrities attended the dinner, including Will Smith, Aretha Franklin, Tony Romo, Matthew Morrison, Trace Ellis Ross, Hellen Mirren, Emma Watson, etc.
Celebrity Apprentice star and 2016 presidential candidate Donald Trump did not attend the dinner, perhaps avoiding being ridiculed by the president as he was back at the 2011 dinner. However, his sons Donald and Eric Trump attended the dinner with their wives.
As for the other presidential candidates, Senator Bernie Sanders attended the dinner while Ted Cruz, John Kasich, and Hillary Clinton did not attend. All were prey to Obama's stand-up comedy.
Obama mocked Mr. Trump for not attending the dinner saying, “Although I am a little hurt that he’s not here tonight. We had so much fun that last time, and it is surprising. You've got a room full of reporters, celebrities, cameras and he says no. Is this dinner too tacky for the Donald? What could he possibly be doing instead? Is he at home, eating a Trump steak? Tweeting out insults to Angela Merkel? What's he doing?"
Obama also joked that the Republican establishment is incredulous that Trump is their front runner. He jested that they should give Mr. Trump credit for having some foreign policy experience as he has met with foreign leaders, adding, “But in fairness, he has spent years meeting with leaders from around the world: Miss Sweden, Miss Argentina, Miss Azerbaijan.”
The president took a jab at Mr. Trump’s real estate experience and said that Donald Trump would be invaluable in closing Guantanamo Bay: “Because Trump knows a thing or two about running waterfront properties into the ground.”
President Obama also took aim at Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for not releasing the transcripts of her paid Goldman Sachs speeches: " Anyway, here we are, my eighth and final appearance at this unique event. And I am excited. If this material works well, I’m going to use it at Goldman Sachs next year. Earn me some serious Tubmans. That’s right. That’s right."
Obama, in addition, mocked Clinton's failed attempt to appeal to young voters: "You’ve got admit it though, Hillary trying appeal to young voters is a little bit like your relative who just signed up for Facebook. ‘Dear America, did you get my poke? Is it appearing on your wall? I’m not sure I’m using this right. Love, Aunt Hillary.’ It’s not entirely persuasive."
Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was also jabbed at by the president: "Bernie, you look like a million bucks. Or, to put in terms you will understand, you look like 37,000 donations of $27 each," President Obama said, referencing his ability to get tons of small donations.
"I am hurt though, Bernie," the president added. "That you have distanced yourself from me. That's not something that you do to your comrade," alluding to Bernie being a socialist.
Republican presidential candidate John Kasich was indirectly derided by the president: "Meanwhile, some candidates aren’t polling high enough to qualify for their own joke tonight. [picture of Kasich eating]. The rules were well established ahead of time."
Foreign born presidential Candidate Ted Cruz was ridiculed by Obama for being an immigrant running for president:"And then there’s Ted Cruz. Ted had a tough week. He went to Indiana. Hoosier country. Stood on a basketball court and called the hoop a basketball ring. What else is in his lexicon. Baseball sticks. Football hats. But sure, I’m the foreign one."
The press also took a bunch of hits from the president. President Obama joked that CNN isn’t real journalism: “Jake Tapper left journalism to join CNN.” Obama also joked that the Washington Post laughs less and less and that there is, “Kind of a silence there. Especially at the Washington Post table.”
Obama ended the dinner with dropping the mic and saying, “Obama out.”
