NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Amber Ruffin attends the "Wicked" New York Premiere at Museum of Modern Art on November 14, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Marleen Moise/WireImage)
This year’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner has removed its scheduled comedy star because of growing division between the Trump administration and journalists. White House officials objected to the selection of sharp-satirist comedian Amber Ruffin, which led to this decision.
Comedian Dropped Amid Controversy
The Emmy and Tony-nominated comedian and writer Amber Ruffin had been planned as the headliner of the prestigious event scheduled for next month. The White House Correspondents’ Association announced through its Saturday statement that Amber Ruffin’s performance would not take place since they wanted to emphasize that the dinner’s core function centers around recognizing White House journalists’ work rather than perpetuating political strife.
Critics from the Trump administration triggered this change after they accused the organization of selecting a comedian who frequently criticized President Trump. In recent weeks Amber Ruffin has written for Late Night with Seth Meyers while frequently making fun of Trump although he once joked about a possible Trump plan to rename the Gulf of Mexico into Gulf of America.
Trump Administration Calls It a “Cop Out”
White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich launched a sharp attack on the WHCA by describing their decision as weak because it served to evade responsibility.
“No accountability at the WHCA, just a cop-out statement – pathetic!” Budowich wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He also took aim at Ruffin herself, labeling her “hate-filled” for her past criticisms of the administration.
The Working Class of the White House Correspondents Association faced difficult circumstances with the Trump administration during recent weeks. Ruffin’s image-related controversy stands alongside another dispute where the White House stopped AP from event coverage and seized control of the press pool journalists who follow presidential activities.
When WHCA President Eugene Daniels first announced Amber Ruffin as the successful candidate, he stated she was perfect for the prevailing political circumstances. The association required pressure from the White House before deciding to remove her name from the scheduled lineup.
Will Trump Attend the Dinner?
The plan this year stands uncertain because President Trump has yet to confirm his presence at the celebratory party. For many years, Washington has preserved this celebratory tradition of comedic presidential roasts that takes place annually. The dinner event each year has been emceed by notable entertainers such as Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brien, and Jay Leno in previous years. The elimination of comedy from the dinner program leaves journalists as the sole beneficiaries, but does not expect improved relations between news organizations and the Trump government.
