‘My Vice President Actually Endorses Me’: Biden Kills At Correspondents’ Dinner
President asks reporters "to rise up to the seriousness of the moment"
“Sleepy Joe” brought the house down.
But in between jokes, he offered nuggets of important advice for the journalists assembled for the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington DC.
The glitzy event often attracts Hollywood celebrities, and Saturday night’s affair didn’t disappoint. Saturday Night Live co-star Colin Jost hosted the dinner, and Jost’s wife — movie star Scarlett Johansson — also attended.
However, while Jost was there to provide entertainment, President Biden clearly was the star of the night.
He succeeded in joking about his presumptive 2024 rival, Donald Trump, while also poking fun at himself.
Biden also wove a bit of counsel for those in the room who will be covering this year’s presidential election.
“I want to thank you for the warm welcome, but please, not so loud. Donald is listening. Sleepy Don. I kind of like that. I may use that again,” Biden quipped, beginning his remarks.
From there, it was equal shots at Trump and himself.
“It’s been a year since I delivered this speech and my wife Jill was with me tonight, was worried how I do. I told her, ‘No worry, just like riding the bike.’ She said, ‘That’s what I’m worried about,’” Biden said, poking fun at the various bicycle mishaps he’s suffered as president. “Of course, the 2024 election is in full swing. And yes, age is an issue. I’m a grown man running against a six-year-old.
“Well, I feel great. I really feel great. I’m campaigning all over the country. Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina. I’ve always done well in the original 13 colonies,” he said, poking at his own advanced age. “And speaking of history, did you hear what Donald just said about the major Civil War battle? Quote, ‘Gettysburg. Wow.’ Trump’s speech was so embarrassing, the statue of Robert E. Lee surrendered again.
“But look, age is the only thing we have in common. My vice president actually endorses me.”
Trump’s vice president, Mike Pence, notably has declined to support his old boss this year for reelection.
But Biden also turned serious, as he praised the work that journalists do.
“On the third anniversary of January 6, I went to Valley Forge and I said, ‘The most urgent question of our time is whether democracy is still the sacred cause of America. That is the question the American people must answer this year. And you, the free press, play a critical role in making sure the American people have the information they need to make an informed decision,” he said. “The defeated former president has made no secret of his attack on our democracy. He said he wants to be a dictator on Day One and so much more. He tells supporters he is their ‘revenge and retribution.’ When in God’s name have you ever heard of another president say something like that? And he promised a bloodbath when he loses again. We have to take this seriously.
“Eight years ago, you could have written it off as just Trump talk, but no longer, not after January 6. I’m sincerely not asking of you to take sides, but I’m asking you to rise up to the seriousness of the moment,” the president urged. “Move past the horse race numbers and the gotcha moments and the distractions, the sideshows that have come to dominate and sensationalize our politics, and focus on what’s actually at stake. I think in your hearts you know what’s at stake. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
“Every single one of us has roles to play — a serious role to play in making sure democracy endures, American democracy. I have my role, but with all due respect, so do you,” he said. “In the age of disinformation, credible information that people can trust is more important than ever. And that makes you — and I mean this from the bottom of my heart — it makes you more important than ever.
“So tonight, I’d like to make a toast...to a free press, to an informed citizenry, to an America where freedom and democracy endure! God bless America!” Biden concluded, to cheering from those assembled.
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