The White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) has decided to drop comedian Amber Ruffin from its annual dinner. This decision comes after Ruffin made controversial remarks about President Donald Trump and his administration. During a recent podcast appearance, she described the Trump administration as “murderers” and suggested they should not be allowed to “feel human.”
Taylor Budowich, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, criticized Ruffin’s comments on social media. He questioned what kind of journalist would attend an event hosted by someone who makes such statements. Budowich’s post highlighted his concern about the implications of Ruffin’s words, calling the event “hate-filled” and “violence-inspiring.”
In response to the backlash, WHCA President Eugene Daniels announced that the organization would forgo a comedic performance altogether this year. He emphasized the need to focus on honoring journalists for their hard work rather than contributing to division. Daniels did not specify whether the complaints from the White House influenced this decision.
This isn’t the first time the WHCA has opted out of featuring a comedian. In 2019, they also skipped the comedic segment after Michelle Wolf’s performance drew criticism for her sharp comments about then-Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.
The WHCA dinner, typically a light-hearted event, will now shift its focus solely to recognizing journalistic achievements and supporting the next generation of reporters.
