
United States President Joe Biden did not hold back as he roasted his predecessor and rival for the upcoming presidential election Donald Trump, during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, on Saturday (Apr 27).
Meanwhile, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the venue chanting “shame on you” as Biden and Washington’s political and media elites arrived.
The US president began the roast at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with multiple jokes directed at Trump including calling him “sleepy Don,” a reference to the nickname “sleepy Joe” that the former president had given Biden previously.
The gathering of hundreds of top journalists, politicians, and celebrities in Washington proved to be a good platform for the president ahead of the upcoming November elections, where he alsoadmonished his Republican rival for his immaturity.
“The 2024 election is in full swing and, yes, age is an issue,” said Biden, 81, who is currently the oldest US president. He added, “I’m a grown man running against a six-year-old.”
“Age is the only thing we have in common. My vice president actually endorses me,” Biden said referring to Trump’s falling out with his former VP Mike Pence, who defied him and certified the results of the 2020 elections.
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The US president also poked fun at Trump’s ongoing hush money trial where the former president was seen at the Manhattan courthouse day after day since it began on April 15. “Donald has had a few tough days lately. You might call it Stormy weather,” said Biden.
The event, which is often referred to as Washington’s “nerd prom,” was hosted by Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast member Colin Jost.
On a serious note, Biden also offered some advice to the journalists gathered calling them to “rise up to the seriousness of the moment”.
“I’m sincerely not asking you to take sides,” said the US president. “I’m asking you to rise up to the seriousness of the moment. Move past the horse race numbers and the gotcha moments and the distractions, the sideshows that have come to dominate and sensationalize our politics, and focus on what's actually at stake.”
But it seems like Trump was less than amused by the jokes made at his expense as he took to his social media platform Truth Social and called the annual “really bad.”
“The White House Correspondents’ Dinner was really bad. Colin Jost BOMBED, and Crooked Joe was an absolute disaster! Doesn’t get much worse than this!” the former president wrote.
The annual dinner was also marked by hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters draped in the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh chanting “shame on you!” as Washington’s elites hurried inside for the dinner.
“Western media we see you, and all the horrors that you hide,” crowds chanted at one point, as per the Associated Press.
(With inputs from agencies)