CNN analyst hits media with reality check after reporters fawn at Biden's WHCD jokes — and host's reaction says it all



CNN analyst Scott Jennings criticized the media for fawning over President Joe Biden's jokes at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday.

The room — full of journalists, media executives, and other celebrities — repeatedly broke into laughter when Biden joked about Fox News, Tucker Carlson, Elon Musk, Don Lemon, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), Rupert Murdoch, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and, of course, himself.

But Jennings highlighted one joke that should not have elicited laughter from the media. That joke was:

In a lot of ways, this dinner sums up my first two years in office. I'll talk for 10 minutes, take zero questions, and cheerfully walk away.

"For the journalists in the room: He wasn't laughing with you, he was laughing at you," Jennings explained.

"I mean, the reality is, I think he's mocking the press. The guy does not take questions and he's up there joking about it," he explained. "And they're clapping and they're laughing about it. And, I don't know, I just I think he owes — I'm pro-reporter, and I think that the president of the United States ought to have to talk to these reporters and not mock them."

It's true. Biden is notoriously unavailable to journalists.

According to data compiled by the American Presidency Project at UC-Santa Barbra, Biden has participated in just 23 news conferences since becoming president, and over half of those — 12 — were joint press conferences. He has given only 11 solo press conferences, including zero in 2023.

To be fair, Biden has had over 300 exchanges with reporters, which are by nature informal and more frequent. Examples include when reporters ask Biden questions as he departs or arrives to the White House or when Biden chooses to answer questions that are shouted at him.

Anything else?

The reaction of host John Berman proved the point that Jennings made: The media have a cozy relationship with Biden that is uncritical.

"How did it compare to the speeches that Donald Trump gave at the White House Correspondents' Dinner?" Berman responded. "He didn't give them. He didn't show."

Trump never showed up for the White House Correspondents' Dinner as president, likely due to his hostile relationship with the media. Trump had attended the dinner when he was not president and infamously became the target of Barack Obama's jokes in 2011.

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Chrissy Teigen blasted for having servants carry her dress through streets to the White House Correspondents' Dinner



Chrissy Teigen was slammed for having servants carry the train of her dress through the streets on the way to the 2023 White House Correspondents' Dinner.

President Joe Biden mocked the press corps at the dinner dedicated to the journalists who cover the president of the United States.

"In a lot of ways, this dinner sums up my first two years in office. I’ll talk for 10 minutes, take zero questions, and cheerfully walk away," Biden ridiculed the press to their faces as to how he doesn't field their questions.

The event was hosted by stand-up comedian Roy Wood Jr., and featured celebrities such as Kelly Ripa, Brittney Griner, Julia Fox, Rosario Dawson, Liev Schreiber, John Leguizamo, Gayle King, and Lena Headey.

Chrissy Teigen and her husband John Legend also attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The 37-year-old former model was caught on video having servants carry the train of her dress through the streets.

Teigen and Legend walked past climate crisis activists screaming, "The planet is dying!"

\u201cJohn Legend and Chrissy Teigen arriving at the White House Correspondents\u2019 Dinner tonight\u201d
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager) 1682815852

The Twitter reactions lampooned Teigen for the tone-deaf display.

Podcast host Jedediah Bila said, "I'm surprised she doesn't have her peasants masked. The liberal elite is gross at every level."

Journalist Ian Miles Cheong tweeted, "These people are more important than you. You'll have to carry their dress for for them, peasant."

Podcast host Shawn Farash added, "Love the servants trailing Teigen... EQUITY!!!!"

One Twitter user wrote, "This is what peak liberalism looks like."

Author Jennifer Sey noted, "Chrissy Teigen at the White House correspondents dinner has Met Gala 2021 vibes."

\u201cChrissy Teigen at the White House correspondents dinner has Met Gala 2021 vibes.\u201d
— Jennifer Sey (@Jennifer Sey) 1682876077

Independent journalist Glenn Greenwald pointed out, "The below video reminds me of that COVID-era video of a huge team of masked servants getting AOC ready for the Met Gala by working on her hair, nails, feet, and dress while she and her boyfriend lounged around unmasked."

\u201cThe below video reminds me of that COVID-era video of a huge team of masked servants getting AOC ready for the Met Gala by working on her hair, nails, feet, and dress while she and her boyfriend lounged around unmasked:\u201d
— Glenn Greenwald (@Glenn Greenwald) 1682867889

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Dr. Anthony Fauci attends packed brunch event before WHCD after ceremoniously bowing out of dinner over 'personal risk'



Dr. Anthony Fauci attended a swanky event before the White House Correspondent's Association Dinner on Saturday after making headlines for withdrawing from the WCHD itself.

What is the background?

ABC News reportedly invited Fauci to the WHCD dinner, which was held on Saturday for the first time since 2019. But Fauci announced last week that he would not attend the event because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fauci decided not to attend the dinner "because of my individual assessment of my personal risk," the New York Times reported.

Event organizers did not implement a face mask mandate for the more than 2,500 dinner attendees. Instead, to enter the dinner, everyone was required to prove they tested negative for COVID-19 on the day of the dinner. Every attendee was also required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

But what did Fauci do?

While America's most controversial medical doctor did not attend the dinner itself, he attended a packed pre-dinner event — and did not wear a face mask.

Fauci attended the "Garden Brunch," an event that takes place the afternoon before the WHCD. The event "honors the freedom of the press and highlights the important work of veterans and military family organizations," according to WHC Insider.

Hollywood celebrities, journalists, politicians, and even top military leaders attended the event, according to TVNewser.

Here is Fauci with CNN anchor Don Lemon and journalist Jonathan Capehart:

@donlemon, Dr. #TonyFauci, and @CapehartJ at the 2022 White House Correspondents' #GardenBrunch @whcapic.twitter.com/JmRkVZo0rq
— White House Insider (@White House Insider) 1651359364

Dr. Fauci even gave an interview at the brunch event in which he struck an unusually positive tone about the trajectory of the pandemic.

"We've been 2.5 years in the one of the most stressful times we've had since, you know, world wars if you look at that historically. We've still got to be careful; it isn't completely over, but it's certainly going in the right direction," Fauci said. "So we're glad to see people able to come out; they're vaccinated, they're boosted, they're tested, so it's pretty good."

Dr. #TonyFauci is glad to see people coming out after a stressful two and a half years and doing so safely. #GardenBrunch @whcapic.twitter.com/HfbyEQfzae
— White House Insider (@White House Insider) 1651361712

Just last week, Fauci declared that the COVID pandemic "is not over."

Watch: The best and worst jokes from the jam-packed White House Correspondents' Dinner – Biden needles Trump and DeSantis



The White House Correspondents’ Dinner took place in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night. This was the first WHCD since 2020 because of the pandemic.

The packed indoor event at the Washington Hilton was hosted by "Daily Show" host Trevor Noah, and attended by journalists, politicos, and celebrities. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden were also in attendance.

The WHCD began with a video of a pre-recorded skit with "Late Late Show" host James Corden filling in for White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

Corden is most concerned about President Biden's opinion on the budding romance between Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson – who were in attendance at the WHCD. Psaki provides Corden with talking points for his White House press conference – such as "War with Russia: bad," and "CDC: good."

James Corden Takes Over Press Briefing www.youtube.com

Biden then took the podium and addressed his dismal approval rating by giving "a special thanks to the 42% of you who actually applauded." He then mocked journalists as the "only group of Americans with a lower approval rating than I have."

Biden noted that the 2022 White House Correspondents' Dinner was the first time a sitting U.S. president attended the event since 2016 because former President Donald Trump boycotted the WHCD during his presidency.

Biden then insinuated that the Trump presidency was a "plague."

"This is the first time a president has attended this dinner in six years," Biden said. "It's understandable, we had a horrible plague followed by two years of COVID."

The president then said that if Trump had attended the event, it would have been a "real coup" – a joke about the Jan. 6 riot, which Biden previously called an "armed insurrection" on a day that "democracy was attacked."

Biden then quipped, "I'm not here to roast the GOP. That's not my style. Besides, there's nothing I can say about the GOP that Kevin McCarthy hasn't already put on tape."

The president acknowledged the anti-Biden slogan "Let's go Brandon."

"Republicans seem to support one fellow," Biden said. "Some guy named Brandon. He's having a really good year. And I'm kind of happy for him."

President Biden: "We had a horrible plague followed by two years of COVID."\n\n#WHCD #WHCD2022 #nerdprompic.twitter.com/jSeUCGrUE5
— CSPAN (@CSPAN) 1651371312

Biden took aim at possible 2024 GOP presidential candidate and current Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over his handling of Disney's fight against the Parental Rights in Education law.

While flubbing Ronald Regan's iconic "tear down this wall" speech from 1987, Biden declared, "Ronald Reagan said, 'Mr. Gorbachev, tear this wall down!' Today’s Republicans say, 'Tear down Mickey Mouse's house!' And pretty soon they’ll be storming Cinderella's castle, and you can be sure of it."

President Biden: "Ronald Reagan said, 'Mr. Gorbachev, tear this wall down! Today\u2019s Republicans say, tear down Mickey Mouse's house! And pretty soon they\u2019ll be storming Cinderella's castle, and you can be sure of it."pic.twitter.com/ajwVYmQ5Ga
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@Mary Margaret Olohan) 1651371651

Trevor Noah began his monologue by calling out the hypocrisy of press members attending a packed indoor event.

"It is my great honor to be speaking tonight at the nation's most distinguished superspreader event," Noah stated. "For real, what are we doing here? Did none of you learn anything from the Gridiron dinner? Nothing?”

Noah is referencing the corporate media dinner held last month that even MSNBC labeled as a "superspreader event." At least 72 people who attended the event tested positive for COVID-19, including Attorney General Merrick Garland and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Noah lambasted the press, "Do you read any of your own newspapers? I mean, I expect this out of Sean Hannity, but the rest of you? What are you doing here?

The "Daily Show" host highlighted the media's hypocrisy on COVID-19 precautions, "You guys spent the last two years telling everyone the importance of wearing masks and avoiding large indoor gatherings, then the second someone offers you a free dinner, you all turn into Joe Rogan.”

"I mean, Dr. Fauci dropped out," the comedian continued. "That should have been a pretty big sign."

"Fauci thought it was too dangerous to come tonight," Noah stated, before adding, "Pete Davidson thought it was okay. And we all went with Pete. Okay. Alright then."

.@Trevornoah: "It is my great honor to speaking tonight \nat the nation's most distinguished super-spreader event. For real, what are we doing here? Did none of you learn anything from the Gridiron dinner? Nothing?"pic.twitter.com/r4IXpnpigl
— CSPAN (@CSPAN) 1651372310

Washington Post reporter Jada Yuan said the jam-packed room is "like a horror film."

"Literally getting trapped between tables," Yuan wrote on Twitter. "Fear of breathing near people but people are everywhere. Creeping sense that you’re the only one who know this is insane."

This room is like a horror film. No exits. Literally getting trapped between tables. Fear of breathing near people but people are everywhere. Creeping sense that you\u2019re the only one who know this is insane.pic.twitter.com/nsxrDYU3aG
— Jada Yuan (@Jada Yuan) 1651370158

Noah mocked the president for the historic inflation that is causing financial ruin for Americans – which garnered laughter from the audience and Biden.

"Ever since you've come into office things are really looking up," Noah began. "Gas is up. Rent is up. Food is up. Everything."

\u201cSince you\u2019ve come into office, things are really looking up. Gas is up, rent is up, food is up! Everything!\u201d\n\nBIDEN: *laughs*pic.twitter.com/Chtdwotnrs
— RNC Research (@RNC Research) 1651372732

Noah needled former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo and his cozy on-air relationship with his older brother – former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

"Some people think that this [dinner] shows that the media is too cozy with politicians, but what those people don’t understand is that you guys have integrity," Noah said. "You would never allow personal connections to affect your ability to be good journalists — isn’t that right Chris Cuomo. Where is Chris Cuomo, by the way, is he here?”

The Comedy Central talk show host skewered Jen Psaki about joining MSNBC, "When Trump was in office, your show was all about how bad he was. And now Biden is in office, your show is about how bad Trump was."

At #WHCD, Trevor Noah joked about Psacki joining MSNBC and actually took a mild shot at the left wing channel: \u201cWhen Trump was in office, your show was all about how bad he was. And now Biden is in office, your show is about how bad Trump was.\u201dpic.twitter.com/uestzYQanh
— Brent Baker \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Brent Baker \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1651373119

"Interesting fact: Even as first lady Dr. Biden continued her teaching career, the first time a presidential spouse has ever done so," he said of Jill Biden. "Congratulations. Now, you might think it's because she loves teaching so much, but it’s actually because she's still paying off her student debt. I'm sorry about that, Jill. Yeah, I guess you should've voted for Bernie."

\u201cDr. Biden kept her teaching career \u2026 everyone thinks it\u2019s because she loves teaching but it's actually because she's still paying off her student debt. Shoulda voted for Bernie.\u201d - Trevor Noah at the #WHCDpic.twitter.com/Qx2lOCwPcX
— philip lewis (@philip lewis) 1651375778

To conclude the festivities, Noah took a parting shot at Biden's tumultuous withdrawal from Afghanistan.

"Please be careful leaving tonight. We all know this administration doesn't handle evacuations well," Noah signed off.

Trevor Noah at the WHCD: \n\n"Please be careful leaving tonight. We all know this administration doesn't handle evacuations well."pic.twitter.com/EwJJAYNrEr
— TheBlaze (@TheBlaze) 1651373699

You can watch the entire 2022 White House Correspondents' Dinner below.

LIVE: 2022 White House Correspondents' Dinner www.youtube.com

Pete Buttigieg offers bizarre response when Fox News host grills him over masking double standard



Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg employed a hypocritical double standard Thursday after justifying his forthcoming attendance at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner.

What is the background?

The White House Correspondents' Dinner will be held this Saturday for the first time since 2019. More than 2,500 people are expected to attend, according to the New York Times.

At an event where journalists rub elbows with the political and Hollywood elite, COVID-19 protocols have been a priority concern. However, no masks will be required. Instead, event organizers are requiring that every attendee be vaccinated and prove a negative COVID-19 test on the same day of the event, the Washington Post reported.

Still, those requirements were not enough for Dr. Anthony Fauci, who revealed on Tuesday that he will not attend the event "because of my individual assessment of my personal risk."

What did Buttigieg say?

Fox News host Bret Baier pressed Buttigieg on how Biden administration officials, including the president himself, can attend the dinner while simultaneously fighting to reinstate the travel mask mandate.

"You just told me you're going to the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The president's going to the White House Correspondents' Dinner. You're not mandated to wear a mask there, but the administration at the same time is fighting a lawsuit to mandate people on planes, trains, and buses to wear masks. So, if you're sitting at home, there's a disconnect here," Baier observed.

Buttigieg offered a parody-level claim in response.

"Well, I think most of us understand the difference between a hotel ballroom and an airplane," he said. "And again, a lot of this is about what authorities the CDC has. So even if they don't think we need it at all, they still want to make sure that we get clarity in court on the legalities [of the mandate]."

Buttigieg added that wearing a face mask on an airplane is "your call," but Baier quickly retorted that it is only "up to you if the administration loses the appeal."

Baier presses Buttigieg on Biden's 'disconnect' with voters www.youtube.com

Buttigieg is right. There is a significant difference between a hotel ballroom and an airplane: The aircraft has cleaner air.

In fact, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and Southwest CEO Gary Kelly told the Senate last December that face masks are not necessary on commercial airliners because of the air filters that planes use.

"I think the case is very strong that masks don't add much, if anything, in the air cabin environment. It is very safe and very high quality compared to any other indoor setting," Kelly said.

Parker added, "I concur. An aircraft is the safest place you can be. It's true of all of our aircraft — they all have the same HEPA filters and air flow."