WASHINGTON, D.C.—This year's White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) Dinner once again brought together high-profile politicians, journalists, and celebrities to raise money for WHCA scholarships and honor recipients of the WHCA's journalism awards. Comedian and Saturday Night Live player Colin Jost headlined the evening on April 27.
Although the war in Gaza spurred protests outside the Washington Hilton, where the dinner took place, President Joe Biden's speech did not mention the war; his remarks focused on jabs at Donald Trump and the upcoming presidential election.
In the lead-up to the main event, the weekend was filled with parties and programming hosted by major news outlets and media companies including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and Axios.
Keep scrolling for a closer look inside this year's WHCA Dinner-related events…
The Wall Street Journal's Reception
Ahead of the big dinner, The Wall Street Journal hosted a reception at Washington Hilton. The focal point of the space was this circular bar, featuring a floral installation by Bee Inspired Events.
Photo: Ian Wagreich/Capitol Hill Photo
Guests, like Sen. Chuck Schumer pictured here, could enjoy music by Les the DJ. Scenic and AV was provided by Legacy Scenic and 4Wall.
Photo: Ian Wagreich/Capitol Hill Photo
The reception was produced by Cheerful Twentyfirst, who said that to truly transform the space, bespoke paneling was installed around the periphery of the room to evoke a members' club aesthetic. It was the perfect background for the event's 360-degree glam photo booth activation.
Photo: Ian Wagreich/Capitol Hill Photo
Guests could also pose in front of a branded step-and-repeat. Some held up fans reading "Free Evan." Evan Gershkovich is a Wall Street Journal reporter who has been detained by the Russian government since March 2023. His arrest for espionage charges has been widely condemned by the Biden administration, press-freedom groups, and news organizations.
Photo: Ian Wagreich/Capitol Hill Photo
Politics and Inclusion Dinner
Over the WHCD weekend, Moët Hennessy USA sponsored the third annual Politics and Inclusion Dinner, co-hosted by (pictured from left) ColorComm founder and CEO Lauren Wesley Wilson, Politico White House correspondent and incoming president of the White House Correspondents Association Eugene Daniels, and CNN anchor and senior political correspondent Abby Phillip.
Photo: BFA
Axios | Live Nation's 'Step Into the Spotlight' Event
At the Axios | Live Nation “Step Into the Spotlight” event, a star-studded crowd gathered to kick off the White House Correspondents Dinner weekend Thursday, April 25, at the OAS Building.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty WireImage
The event featured a surprise performance by country music singer Jelly Roll (pictured). The gathering also brought together media and entertainment luminaries for a night of music and networking. Guests included Axios co-founders Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz; Live Nation Entertainment President and CFO Joe Berchtold; actress and singer Lynda Carter; and journalist and podcast producer Kara Swisher.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty WireImage
CNN's 'Our Cup of Tea: The WHCD Finale' Brunch Event
CNN helped close out the party-packed weekend on Sunday afternoon with its "Our Cup of Tea: The WHCD Finale" brunch event, hosted in partnership with the British Embassy. Nearly 700 guests joined the festivities at the British Ambassador's Residence & Gardens. DJ Dimmy provided music while Breasia Productions handled AV.
Photo: Courtesy of CNN
Guests were greeted with freshly chilled juice shots upon arrival, plus modern takes on Pimm's Cups and palomas while posing in front of a floral-walled phone booth.
Photo: Courtesy of CNN
Amaryllis once again worked with CNN to helm florals and the design of the event. The media brand also worked with Erik Weikert on design.
Photo: Courtesy of CNN
Occasions Caterers handled F&B, which included a Spritz Bar, Bubbles Bar, and a No. 3 Gin Cocktail Bar, where guests could find these branded citrus slices.
Photo: Courtesy of CNN
The Bubbles Bar featured this whimsical fountain filled with ice and bottles of bubbly. Guests could also dine on signature British fare and other familiar brunch items.
Photo: Courtesy of CNN
Washington Women in Journalism Awards
On April 25, Story Partners co-hosted the 11th annual Washington Women in Journalism Awards with Washingtonian magazine to honor four top political female journalists across four categories. Senior congressional correspondent for ABC Rachel Scott was named Outstanding Journalist in Broadcast Television.
Photo: Daniel Swartz
Sponsors, highlighted here with their logos on a branded pillow wall, included Amazon, Delta Air Lines, PhRMA, and the National Retail Federation.
Photo: Daniel Swartz
Honorees this year also included Kara Swisher, who received the Hall of Fame Achievement Award.
Photo: Daniel Swartz
Helmet to Heels x Veuve Clicquot Event
On Friday, April 26, Helmet to Heels—a lifestyle and media tech startup that blends journalism and fashion—toasted to women on the front lines and in the front row with a WHCD event sponsored by Veuve Clicquot.
Photo: Cecilie Olaussen Photography
The event took place at Ciel Social Club, the rooftop bar and lounge atop AC Hotel Washington DC Convention Center.
Photo: Cecilie Olaussen Photography
Emmy-nominated journalist Suzanne Kianpour (pictured second from left) is the founder and CEO of Helmet to Heels.
Photo: Cecilie Olaussen Photography
Guests, of course, sipped complimentary Veuve Clicquot Champagne. Specialty cocktails available for purchase included the "News with Suz." Proceeds went to the American University of Afghanistan.
Photo: Cecilie Olaussen Photography
