I agree with conservative Matt Lewis on this:
I’m calling for a full and complete shutdown of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD), just until we can figure out what the hell is going on.
The dinner, which has been given the green light for the first time since 2019, will occur on April 30 with Daily Show host and standup comic Trevor Noah headlining.
Let’s start with the obvious reasons that this dinner is a mistake.
The ostensibly objective news media and the people who hold the levers of power in this country shouldn’t be schmoozing at a lavish event, filled with a weekend of before and after-parties in its orbit. But if the falsely modest “nerd prom” weren’t already distastefully tone-deaf, the regular addition of Hollywood celebrities into the mix only screams “elitist” a little louder.
This is especially true at a time when many working-class Americans are struggling. It just solidifies the perception that the elites are all in bed together, and that the “politics” they see on TV is just cynical cosplay.
Ok, fine, the WHCA dinner is for charity. But do journalism scholarships really erase the stink of this pageant of hypocrisy? Journalism degrees are often worthless, and leave lots of wide-eyed kids in debt.
One defense of this indefensible dinner is that this is the one night to encourage comity and civility between professionals (journalists and politicians) who normally face off in an adversarial relationship.
The real reason for this night is more self-indulgent: The media dresses up and celebrates itself. Ironically “nerd prom” is for the “cool kids” of media.
Unfortunately, he then goes on to whine that the comedians are mean to Republicans and the liberal media treats them with disdain. He also blames Obama for making fun of Trump at the 2012 event which made Trump seek revenge by becoming president. It’s lame.
Nonetheless, his first critique is correct. It’s a very stupid event that should be scrapped. I would say that I’m surprised they are reviving it but I’m not. They love to cosplay being stars on the red carpet.