President Joe Biden hosted the the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night; Biden humorously tackled his material and the crowd, and he even managed to slip in a few digs at former President Trump. The event served as a platform for Biden to both entertain and subtly campaign amidst his reelection efforts. His quips about age and vitality highlight a lighthearted approach to the serious questions that continue to nag voters’ minds.
Biden, addressing nearly 3,000 attendees, joked about the concerns regarding his suitability for another term given his age. “The 2024 election is in full swing. And yes. Age is an issue. I’m a grown man running against a 6-year-old,” he said,
Simultaneously, outside the Washington Hilton, the event’s tone contrasted sharply with the protests. Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters voiced their dissent against Biden’s policies, notably his support for Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This external unrest highlighted the complexity and breadth of the issues facing Biden, from domestic electoral politics to international crises.
Colin Jost, the evening’s entertainer from “Saturday Night Live,” did not shy away from roasting both Biden and Trump. “I also just wanted to point out, it’s 10 p.m. and Sleepy Joe is still awake, while Donald Trump has spent the last week falling asleep in court every morning,” Jost remarked.
Biden’s ability to jest about his and Trump’s age — “Age is the only thing we only have in common,” he noted — was more than self-deprecating humor; it was a strategic acknowledgment of voter concerns while asserting his vigor and readiness to continue in office. Moreover, his pointed jokes at Trump, especially regarding the latter’s legal entanglements and polarizing rhetoric, underscored an ongoing critique of Trump’s fitness for office. “Trump so desperately started reading those bibles he’s selling, then he got to the first commandment, ‘You shall have no other gods before me.’ That’s when he put it down and said this book’s not for me,” Biden quipped..
As the event doubled as a fundraiser for journalism scholarships, the evening also served as a reminder of the importance of a free press, a theme Biden touched upon seriously towards the end of his remarks. Addressing the journalists, he expressed gratitude for their work, emphasizing their essential role in a functioning democracy, especially in times of conflict and crisis.
