WASHINGTON, D.C.—One of D.C.’s most prestigious gatherings returned to the Washington Hilton on April 30 following a two-year hiatus. The White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner (WHCD) brought together high-profile politicians, journalists, and celebrities—which, this year, included Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson making their red carpet debut as a couple—and anchored a weekend of surrounding parties and programming.
Also aired on C-SPAN, the night was the first time in six years that the president attended the dinner; and in true WHCD fashion, President Joe Biden ended the night with a comedic monologue. “A special thanks to the 42% of you that actually applauded,” Biden quipped as he took the podium. “I’m really excited to be here tonight with the only group of Americans with a lower approval rating than I have,” he continued, garnering “awes” and giggles from the star-studded crowd.
The Daily Show's Trevor Noah hosted the dinner with 2,600 in attendance, forecasting that the event would get flack for taking place despite a COVID outbreak attributed to the lesser-known precursor of the WHCD, the Gridiron Dinner.
“Like, do you read any of your own newspapers?” he humorously asked the journalists in the room. He also called the gathering “the nation’s most distinguished superspreader event,” but it was no joke when ABC political journalist Jon Karl, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and CBS CEO George Cheeks tested positive for the virus.
However, A-listers didn’t let anything stop them from experiencing the WHCD and the over-the-top celebrations that historically accompany the affair. On Friday, the day before the WHCD, Funny Or Die (FOD) and People magazine kicked off the weekend with a celebration-themed FOD, literally—Funny, Original, and Diverse—in a playful reference to the television company.
CBS News and Politico teamed up for an exclusive pre-dinner reception, where guests were greeted by a full-staffed red carpet and mingled, drink in hand, as a xylophone played live in the background. And after dinner, Paramount+ took over the French Ambassador’s residence for an artfully branded, late-night bash. Meanwhile, at the Colombian Ambassador’s residence, D.C.-based communications agency CRAFT Media/Digital held its own after-party, nodding to the South American country’s rich history with a “magical realism” theme.
On Sunday morning, CNN returned for another iteration of its political hangover brunch to round out the weekend, complete with—you guessed it—all the acceptable cocktails to sip on pre-5 p.m. Themed “From the White House to the World” and inspired by the media company’s global reach, guests journeyed through Italy, Paris, London, and Asia as they walked through the multilevel, indoor-outdoor venue.
Keep scrolling for a closer look inside the events.