This past Saturday night, the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner returned for the first time in 2019, and it caused some controversy. Many felt that it was inappropriate that the event was still held even after some pointed out it was a risk due to COVID-19. Trevor Noah, who headlined the event, joked that it was his “greatest honor” to “be speaking tonight at the nation’s most distinguished superspreader event.” Since there were many in the space without masks, and with Vice President Kamala Harris announcing she tested positive recently, many wondered why the event would still continue to be held.
The servers at the White House Correspondents' Dinner had to wear masks so that they understood their place was beneath all the elite in that room.
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) May 2, 2022
Expect many Covid cases next week thanks to
several superspreader events in DC this weekend for the White House Correspondents Dinner and all the pre and post-parties. No masks, lots of close mingling, drinking, and eating. Hope attendees are vaccinated and boosted.— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) April 26, 2022
According to the Washington Post, the number was estimated at 2,000 attendees, and although you had to be vaxxed and boosted to attend, some still worried that this was not enough protection. And, when Dr. Anthony Fauci, the president’s chief medical adviser, said he would not be attending due to the concern of infection, many continued to wonder why the event would continue to be hosted. “No other event could possibly have displayed the ruling class’s arrogance, ignorance, and lack of self-awareness better than that,” wrote one person on Twitter. Some others found it disrespectful that the only people wearing masks were servers.
Trevor Noah roasts pretty much everyone at White House Correspondents' Dinner https://t.co/Sd9GXdQI9o
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) May 2, 2022
Still, many enjoyed the event, even from watching. President Biden even addressed the comments of why the event would continue. The event is the “main source of revenue to finance all of our work, including support of the journalists working to cover the president, events and programs to educate the public about the value of the First Amendment and a free press, and scholarships to help the next generation of journalists” according to White House Correspondents Association website. Biden notes that it was important to show that the country is “moving forward.” Also, in the times of the war in Ukraine and the fear of censorship, many thought the event was important to celebrate and continue free press, which is what the event is surrounded around.
https://twitter.com/MattGertz/status/1521101357532471299?s=20&t=gRIqrWZ0dKFofpRgH4h2uQ
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Despite the controversy, many found the event to be successful, especially as President Biden cracked jokes about former President Trump, who did not attend any of the dinners during his time as president, and Fox News journalists.
