This Saturday, April 25, like every last Saturday in April, the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was held. Since 1924, journalists who cover presidential news in the United States have met for dinner. But what exactly is this dinner?
THE correspondents’ dinnerOr White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD) is a dinner organized annually by the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) to celebrate the 1st Amendment of the American Constitution.
A highly symbolic evening
What is the 1st Amendment?
THE 1st Amendment to the US Constitution is as follows: “ Congress shall make no law which affects the establishment or prohibits the free exercise of any religion, or which abridges the liberty of speech or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances of which they have cause to complain. “. This amendment, based among other things on freedom of expression and of the press, is at the heart of American democracy. It acts as a bulwark against authoritarianism.
This short text prohibits Congress to limit freedom of worship while ensuring that theState can never impose an official religion. Beyond religion, it above all protects the voice of citizens. It actually protects the freedom of speech and that of the pressallowing the media to play their role without fear of government censorship. Finally, it ensures the right to assemble peacefully and to challenge the authorities to correct injustices, making the free circulation of ideas the basis of American society.
What is the WHCA (and its annual dinner)?
There WHCAit is an American association created in 1914 and which brings together journalists who are used to covering news related to president of the United States. It deals directly with the presidential administration regarding its media coverage.
Every year since 1924 (i.e. 10 years after its creation), the WHCA organizes a dinner bringing together members of the Association and political figures (such as president and the vice-president). It usually takes place on the last Saturday of April. The annual dinner is now a tradition. In fact, it has brought together, for more than 100 yearsnumerous journalists and members of the government.
An American tradition
Journalistic awards
Several price are given to journalists during this evening:
- THE Merriman Smith Memorial Award : prize for the best report delivered on time
- THE Aldo Beckman Memorial Award : prize for journalistic excellence
- THE Edgar A. Poe Memorial Award : prize for the best story with regional or national influence
A ritual that is debated: the roast
Tradition also dictates that dinner is followed by a sketch in which the president is made fun of. It is presented either by the president himself or by a comedian. Sometimes this humorous performance is accompanied by the screening of a short film. The current president himself is particularly invited to make a speech and/or show a short humorous video. Several performances left their mark on the minds of Americans.
Landmark editions
Several editions of this dinner have marked journalists and Internet users since its creation. Here is one of the most iconic.
During the 2011 dinner for example, during the first mandate of Barack Obamathe latter chose to make a speech himself. It aims directly at Donald Trumpat the time far from the Oval Office. In this speech, Obama humorously addresses the controversy surrounding its origins. Some time ago, Trump and other Republican figures and voters had demanded proof that the president was indeed American. During this dinner, Obama therefore took the opportunity to address Trump and silence rumors with a humorous video mixing clichéd images of American pride and images of his birth certificate. He even adds the video of his birth followed by a clip from the cartoon The Lion King.
This year, the WHCD is also making history. Indeed, for the 2026 correspondents’ dinner, the evening was marked by the shots that rang out and the assassination attempt on the president in office Donald Trump.
