The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) has decided to cancel the traditional comedy performance at this year’s annual fundraising dinner, marking a significant shift away from the long-standing tradition of roasting politicians and journalists.
WHCA President Eugene Daniels informed members of the decision in an email on Friday, explaining that the board unanimously voted to remove comedian Amber Ruffin from the event’s performance. Daniels cited a desire to refocus the dinner on journalism, scholarship, and mentorship rather than political satire.
“At this consequential moment for journalism, I want to ensure the focus is not on the politics of division but entirely on awarding our colleagues for their outstanding work and providing scholarship and mentorship to the next generation of journalists,” Daniels stated, according to The Hill.
Ruffin, a writer for NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” was announced as the featured comedian in February but has been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump. Her selection reportedly stirred controversy within the White House, which already has a tense relationship with the WHCA.
Prior to Trump, presidents traditionally attended the event as a gesture of goodwill between the administration and the press. Trump did not attend the dinner during his first term, skipping it in 2017, 2018, and 2019. It remains uncertain whether he will attend this year’s event.
Last month, the White House announced a significant change to its press pool selection process, shifting control from the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) to the White House press team. This move has ignited discussions about press freedom and transparency.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that, effective immediately, the White House press team will determine which journalists participate in the press pool. This group of reporters traditionally accompanies the President to events and provides coverage for the broader press corps. Leavitt emphasized that this change aims to “give power back to the people who read your papers, who watch your television shows, and who listen to your radio stations.”
The WHCA, established in 1914 to advocate for journalists covering the White House, has historically managed the press pool’s composition. Its president, Eugene Daniels, condemned the administration’s decision, stating it undermines the independence of a free press in the United States. Daniels asserted, “In a free country, the leadership should not decide who covers them.”
