White House Correspondents’ Dinner Comedy Slot Dropped Due to Trump Administration Pressure

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner has made a surprising change this year by announcing the cancellation of the comedy slot. This means that talented comic Amber Ruffin won’t be making folks chuckle at the event. The decision was made to shift the focus away from divisive politics and onto celebrating outstanding journalism achievements and supporting the next generation of journalists. This move comes after White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich criticized Ruffin, calling her a “2nd rate comedian” and raising concerns about her content.

In the past, the comedy portion of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has been known to make waves. From Michelle Wolf roasting Trump in 2018 to Stephen Colbert’s memorable jabs at George W. Bush in 2006, the comedic moments have often stolen the spotlight. Even Seth Meyers and President Obama took shots at Donald Trump back in 2011, some say sparking his interest in running for office.

Amber Ruffin, a stand-up comic and writer for Late Night with Seth Meyers, had been lined up to perform this year. However, after Budowich’s criticism, the decision was made to nix the comedy act altogether. Despite the backlash, the White House Correspondents’ Association President Eugene Daniels is standing firm on the decision, emphasizing the importance of unity and professionalism in journalism during this critical time in history.

The event is set to take place on April 26 at the Washington Hilton in DC, without a comedy segment this year. While there may be differing opinions on the decision, the focus remains on honoring journalistic excellence and nurturing future talent in the field.