Biden Jokes and Warns about Trump at White House Correspondents’ Dinner amid Gaza Protests

The ongoing war in Gaza took center stage outside the Washington Hilton on Saturday as protesters gathered to condemn President Biden’s support of Israel’s military campaign, while inside the glitzy correspondents’ dinner, the focus was on the looming presidential election and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

As President Biden took the stage, he wasted no time in poking fun at his Republican rival, calling him “sleepy Don” and highlighting their differences, including Vice President Kamala Harris’s endorsement of him over former VP Mike Pence’s refusal to endorse Trump.

However, the tone quickly shifted as Biden delivered a solemn speech warning of the dangers of another Trump administration, especially in the wake of the Capitol insurrection on January 6th. Despite the somber message, Biden made no mention of the war in Gaza or the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.

Outside the venue, protesters clashed with attendees as they made their way into the dinner, shouting slogans and holding up signs condemning the Western media’s coverage of the conflict and Biden’s support for Israel’s military offensive. The demonstration highlighted the growing divide on college campuses over the issue, with students pushing for divestment from Israel and counterprotests defending the country’s actions.

As celebrities and politicians mingled inside, comedian Colin Jost couldn’t resist poking fun at the age of both candidates, including a joke about former President Jimmy Carter’s potential bid for the presidency at the age of 99.

Despite the festivities, the shadow of the conflict in Gaza loomed large over the event, with journalists in attendance urged to boycott the dinner altogether in solidarity with their colleagues in the region who have faced detentions, interrogations, and even death while reporting on the war.

The White House Correspondents’ Association, representing journalists covering the president, came under fire for its silence on the killings of Palestinian journalists, prompting criticism from protest organizers and advocacy groups.

As the evening came to a close, the message was clear – even in the midst of laughter and glamour, the realities of conflict and suffering around the world could not be ignored.