Infinite Jest - Columbia Journalism Review
On the White House Correspondents' Dinner and Trump's first hundred days with the press.
www.cjr.orgHere’s the latest available on the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD) 2025.
What happened at WHCD 2025: The event at the Washington Hilton proceeded with a noticeably pared-down program. There was no entertainer featured this year, and President Trump did not attend. This marked a shift from the traditional format, with the emphasis reported as more of a professional journalism celebration and fundraising occasion rather than a typical comedy roast. The absence of a host comedian and the president’s absence were widely noted in coverage of the 2025 dinner.[1][2][5]
Public reception and tone: Coverage described the evening as lacking the usual humor and spectacle, giving the event a more formal, somber tone while still highlighting journalism and the First Amendment. Attendees reportedly recognized the event’s focus on press freedom and scholarships rather than political jabs. Several post-dinner summaries emphasized the “no comedian” aspect and the more modest, internal celebration among journalists.[2][5]
Notable context and afterglow: WHCA’s own recap for 2025 confirms the absence of an entertainer and notes the dinner took place with about 2,600 attendees; Trump’s absence was noted as part of a broader pattern in recent years. The organization framed the night as one of journalism recognition rather than entertainment-driven spectacle.[5]
Illustration of key takeaway
If you’d like, I can pull direct quotes from the WHCA recap or compile a brief timeline of the 2025 WHCD weekend with notable attendees and fundraising highlights. Would you prefer a concise bullet timeline or a short quoted summary from major outlets? Citations:
On the White House Correspondents' Dinner and Trump's first hundred days with the press.
www.cjr.org: Page 2
www.cbsnews.comThe 2025 White House Correspondents' Dinner lacked humor and the presence of the president, focusing on journalism celebration instead.
www.herebowlinggreen.comCheeks was seated next to President Biden at the White House Correspondents Association dinner last Saturday, but Mr. Biden has since tested negative for the virus. More than 2,000 journalists, politicians and celebrities gathered in Washington, D.C., for the first White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner in three years. President Biden and comedian Trevor Noah headlined the evening filled with roasts and COVID jokes. Ed O'Keefe has the story. … CBSN political contributor Michael...
www.cbsnews.comDonald Trump is skipping the White House Correspondents' Dinner this year, and there will be no comedian. Here's what that means.
deadline.comThe 2025 White House Correspondents’ Association held its annual dinner on Saturday, April 26, at the Washington Hilton. The dinner did not include an entertainer this year. President Trump, who was invited, did not attend. “It’s just us,” said WHCA President Eugene Daniels in remarks to the ballroom of 2,600 attendees. The dinner included: -a […]
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