The White House Correspondents' Association's (WHCA) recent history has been one of rolling over in the face of the Malignant Fascist's efforts to control news coming out of the (very) White House, recently ceding their right to control who takes part in press pools to the White House Press Office. Their most recent act of pusillanimity came yesterday when they announced that openly gay comedian Amber Ruffin was no longer invited as the host of its annual dinner, clearly responding to pressure from the "free speech for me but not thee" Trumpists:
...She was announced as this year’s dinner entertainer in February. At the time, she told CNN’s Jake Tapper that she planned to channel anti-Trump sentiments during her dinner performance. She also said, of Trump’s likely absence, “I don’t know that anyone’s looking forward to being in the same room as him.”
White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich on Friday publicly called out Ruffin for her anti-Trump comments, writing on X, “What kind of responsible, sensible journalist would attend something like this? More importantly, what kind of company would sponsor such a hate-filled and violence-inspiring event?” [Ed.: for a moment, we thought he was referring to a Trump rally.]
The coup-de-grace was shamefully delivered by the association's president, Eugene Daniels, who is also gay and works as the Washington correspondent for ... MSNBC (!). This was his brief outburst of Kafkaesque flim flam:
“At this consequential moment for journalism, I want to ensure the focus is not on the politics of division but entirely on awarding our colleagues for their outstanding work and providing scholarship and mentorship to the next generation of journalists,” the association’s president, Eugene Daniels, wrote in a memo Saturday.
He said the association’s board voted unanimously to make the change, and did not immediately announce any new speakers.
What a stand-up bunch of spineless, access-driven ciphers. "At this consequential moment for journalism" one must ask, which side of the "division" are you on: freedom of the press and American democracy or Trump's creeping fascism? Don't bother, we know the WHCA's answer.
What a shameful thing to be so craven.
BONUS:
(Cartoon: Kevin Necessary, @knecessary)
The cost of doing business these days. In other news saw 2 black maga hats and another Trump was right about everything hat.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how much they cost, but they're cheaper than a new pick up. Just for fun a new GMC Denali Ultimate goes for $78,500x25% add another 19,000 bucks. like I said the cost of doing business.
Seafury -- at least they're advertising their sub-moron status for all to see! You need to move to Madison -- I know the cost of living there is hell, but you won't see as many MAGAts, so it might be worth it!
ReplyDelete🤬🤬 I cannot contain my anger!! Hubby and I were looking forward to watching the show because Amber Ruffin is one of the most spontaneously funny women in comedy today!! If you want to see what you will miss at the WHCA dinner this year, other than free speech itself, please support the Saturday night comedy news show "Have I Got News For You" on CNN. Amber Ruffin (along with host Roy Wood, Jr. and Michael Ian Black) give you a news quiz and often pair up with politicians. Adam Kinzinger and Jasmine Crockett were funny. Mike Lawler not so much. Tim Burchett not at all even though some call him "the funniest man in Congress?!" Whuh? Why? Anyway, the show skewers the news and newsmakers. I highly recommend! 🤣🤣
ReplyDeleteCleora -- Thanks!
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