• 
  Subscribe to receive the newest updates from Farovint’s U.S. politics newsletter.
  

During an elegant white-gown event in Washington,
DC
On Saturday, the media criticized President
Donald Trump
When they raised their glasses to the First Amendment rather than toasting the president.

Presidents from both political parties have traditionally participated in the Gridiron Club Dinner for many years, where they have delivered self-effacing remarks in front of an audience comprising influential members of the press, legislators from all sides of politics, diplomats, and various distinguished invitees.

However, Trump, who participated during his initial term, did not attend this year’s event and opted to go to his residence instead.
Florida
.

During the president’s absence, participants criticized the 78-year-old, apparently violating a long-standing custom that has been observed since the event began in 1885.

For the first time in the dinner’s annals, the attendees raised their glasses to honor the First Amendment instead of the current president.

Even though the president avoided attending, his lack of presence was highlighted as the occasion concluded with a video featuring four GOP presidents—Trump from his initial term along with Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush—all sharing laughs at the yearly event.

As part of an enduring custom, the show humorously targeted politicians from both sides as Republican and Democratic speakers each gave their best comedic performances.

The Democrats, defeated in the latest election, found themselves at the receiving end of many jokes on Saturday evening, just like Trump, Dogecoin, and Elon Musk.

The prominent Democrat Wes Moore, Maryland’s governor, who could be a future presidential candidate in 2028, led the Democratic lineup.

Amidst the turmoil, individuals are questioning whether I will take on the role of the new leader for the resistance movement. My response remains unchanged: that position is already taken,” he stated.

“And I want to express my gratitude to Senator Mitch McConnell for his valiant efforts,” Moore added amidst laughter as the seasoned Republican senator opposed several of Trump’s nominations.

Moore also took a jab at Vice President JD Vance, stating that he didn’t know him anymore due to the eyeliner, referring to the remarks circulating on social media regarding the vice president’s look.

He further addressed the speculations about his ambitions for a more prominent position, jestingly competing with other Democratic governors rumored to be vying for the 2028 presidential race, including joking references to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and others.

However, Moore also earned chuckles when he stated that if his intention was truly to become president, he wouldn’t be the main speaker at this gathering.

‘I

Instead, I would bring my case directly to those overseeing our democracy. ‘The Kremlin,’ he quipped.

The occasion marked a rare instance of bipartisan cooperation when Moore playfully pretended not to know her and then gave Congresswoman Lisa McClain, the GOP leader, a warm embrace.

During her comments, McClain, who serves as the conference chair and holds the position of the most senior Republican woman in the House, criticized members of the Trump Cabinet. She alleged that Robert Kennedy Jr. was unable to attend due to having the measles.

She additionally proposed that Trump was required to choose Pam Bondi for attorney general.


since the Menendez brothers were not available.

Regarding the musical segments, Trump’s Cabinet and high-ranking officials made for effortless subjects. Media figures playfully adapted lines from Broadway shows and popular music. The sketches included parodies of Musk and Kennedy.

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer were among those who had jokes made about them in the musical sketches.

Once, ex-Democratic Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe portrayed Franklin D. Roosevelt and performed a song, but he eventually went off-script.

During solemn instances, Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, was met with a standing ovation, just like the mother of the missing American journalist Austin Tice.

Judy Woodruff from the Gridiron Club, who works for PBS, hosted the occasion.

During the time when HUD Secretary Scott Turner from the Trump administration attended these events, there typically has been a representative from the government speaking.

Former Vice President Mike Pence delivered a speech in 2017, followed by President Donald Trump who addressed the gathering in 2018. In 2019, the president’s daughter Ivanka was the one to speak at the event.

Woodruff stated to Politico that she extended invitations to the president, vice president, and national security advisor, yet they all turned down the offer. Additionally, she was informed that the secretary of state would also be unavailable.

Read more