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By Claire Atkinson
WASHINGTON – In the absence of comedian, some celebrities, or even any one, and a decree of President Donald Trump banning the presence of administrative staff, the annual TV dinner will be held in Washington. The White House Correspondents Association was largely to fail on Saturday.
Ron Chernow, author of "Hamilton", Pulitzer Prize winner, proposed to reinstate the events that had recently attracted attention.
Last year, the association denounced its own actress, Michelle Wolf, after criticizing the ridicule of the White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders, in her monologue.
Chernow sought to fill the lack of comedian with a powerful mix of humor and history. There was nothing to laugh at, but a fun and informative look at the relationship between the presidency and the press over the centuries.
The author began by recalling President George Washington, but quickly tackled current issues. And although he remained largely out of the controversial terrain of last year's event, Chernow did not give any political shots.
He joked that there was a rumor that he was reading the redacted parts of the Mueller report and was talking about "our surreal interlude in American life."
"Our precious Republic feels fragile, even perishable.After the shootings in the San Diego synagogue today, our civil society also feels fragile," Chernow said.
"I shudder at the savagery to which Washington's policy has come down."
"We have also seen the wisdom of our constitution at work, with a bold press, an independent judiciary, a rejuvenated congress providing oversight over executive power. We are put to the test but I like to think that decency will prevail. "
Chernow concluded the speech with a joke. "As we enter an election season, I leave you with one last jewel of (Mark) Twain," he said.
"Politicians and layers have to be changed often and for the same reason. Good night and God bless America.
The Democratic presidential candidate, John Delaney, told NBC News that he would give the speech "A-Plus". "It was funny, as funny as most of the comedians you were listening to, it was a source of inspiration and he quoted Lincoln extensively, so I quote," He drew our best angels, "Delaney said. .
Olivier Knox, outgoing president of the White House Correspondents Association, said he plans to use a musician or an author to deliver the speech at the event, which will provide scholarships and prizes. He said that he did not want dinner to be about Trump this year. "It's not his dinner. It's up to us and it should stay with us.
This is the third year in a row that the president has been missing the 100-year-old Black Tie Tournament. Trump said this month that he would not attend dinner, telling reporters that it was "negative" and "boring".
Knox told NBC News that the event required a reset after decades of press organizations inviting celebrities.
"It was" oh my God, I caught a glimpse of George Clooney, "he said, adding that he wanted the dinner to be dedicated to journalism again.
Knox opened his own speech with news of the death threats he received and sounded a note of introspection. "The news media are extremely powerful," he said. "This deserves scrutiny and skepticism. Sometimes it deserves distrust, sometimes we do stupid things. "
Bob Costantini, a Washington correspondent for Westwood One Radio, said Trump's last-minute order barring his staff from attending the meeting left him with some difficulties to occupy seats and enjoyed the speech. of Chernow, but he still wanted to see a comedian come back.
The dinner, which took place at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where former President Ronald Reagan was killed, is just one of many festivities held this weekend.
Trump's former press secretary, Sean Spicer, was seen during a day of work with a film crew as part of his new reporter role for the entertainment show "Extra" ".
Earlier on Saturday, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, Presidential Advisor Kellyanne Conway and President Rudy Giuliani's lawyer all mingled with a veterans' garden brunch hosted by a group including Tammy Haddad, a Washington personality on the commercial and social scene.
Discussing with the media next to tables filled with quiche and pancakes, accompanied by strawberry lemonade, Conway also commented on the ban. "The president is very pro-press," she said, adding that he was in Wisconsin to convey his message directly to the American people.
As he left the event, which was being held in the former home of the late Washington Post publisher, Katharine Graham, a guest asked Rosenstein what he would do after leaving the Department of Justice. "Looking for a job," he replied.
When NBC News asked him if he had disobeyed the president by attending the brunch, Rosenstein joked, "What's he going to do, send me back?"
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