The White House Correspondents Dinner is an annual event where members of the media and politicians gather together, which is highlighted by a roast put together by the sitting president. For President Donald Trump, he will not be attending this year's event.
Trump ditches dinner
Donald Trump has been involved in a war of words with the media since he first announced his campaign back in June 2015. After referring to illegal immigrants from Mexico as "rapists" and "murderers," the press quickly pounced on the former host of "The Apprentice," which kicked off a feud that continues to this day.
On Friday, Trump escalated that feud with the media, first by bashing the press at the Conservative Political Action Conference, then by banning several news outlets from taking part in the daily press briefing at the White House. As seen on his Twitter account on February 25, Trump is now backing out of the White House Correspondents Dinner.
I will not be attending the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner this year. Please wish everyone well and have a great evening!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2017
"I will not be attending the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner this year," Donald Trump wrote on Twitter on Saturday, before adding, "Please wish everyone well and have a great evening!" Trump's decision comes as his relationship with members of the press has reached a new low, with well-respected news outlets like the New York Times, CNN, BBC, the Huffington Post, the Los Angeles Times were banned from the aforementioned press briefing.
Heavy backlash
Following Donald Trump's tweet, he was quickly hit with criticism and mockery on social media. "What's a matter!? Can't take a joke/ indictment of your incompetency?," actress Kristina Wong wrote on her Twitter account. "Thank God. Last time you attended, it led to the worst mistake of this generation - you running for office," comedy writer Nick Jack Pappas tweeted out in response.
@realDonaldTrump What's a matter!? Can't take a joke/ indictment of your incompetency?
— Kristina Wong ❄️ (@mskristinawong) February 25, 2017
.@realDonaldTrump Thank God. Last time you attended, it led to the worst mistake of this generation - you running for office.
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) February 25, 2017
"Oh, honey.
I'm sorry you're so very scared of the press. Sometimes the truth hurts and we have to be mature and face it," comedy writer Bess Kalb added. As the night moved forward, the criticism piled on against the new president, as Donald Trump continues to widen the divide in the United States.
