#NoMoreNerdProm
Should we just get rid of the White House Correspondents' Dinner? | The Tylt
Should we just get rid of the White House Correspondents' Dinner?
Comedian Michelle Wolf caused a controversy after she delivered a scathing monologue at the White House Correspondents' Dinner (a.k.a. "Nerd Prom") that many felt went too far. But some are asking why does this event even exist? President Trump has refused to attend two years in a row and maybe he has a point. A night of the press corps cozying up to the very people they are supposed to hold accountable is creepy. Others feel Nerd Prom is just a fun way for the Washington elite to laugh at themselves. What do you think?
Real-time Voting
Should we just get rid of the White House Correspondents' Dinner?
Comedian Michelle Wolf didn't hold back in her routine at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. She took jabs at President Trump, his associates and the media for enabling him.
"You guys are obsessed with Trump... Did you used to date him? Because you pretend to hate him but I think you love him. I think what no one in this room wants to admit is that Trump has helped all of you. He couldn't sell steaks or vodka or water or college or ties or Eric. But he has helped you. He's helped you sell your papers and your books and your TV. You helped create this monster and now you're profiting off of him."
Watch the full interview below:
The White House Correspondents' Association released an official statement in response to the outrage over Wolf's set, claiming the comedian's routine "was not in the spirit" of their mission.
#WHCA Statement to Members on Annual Dinner pic.twitter.com/8DKoHNxpNi
— WHCA (@whca) April 30, 2018
But others have been asking the more important question: Why have the White House Correspondents' Dinner at all? Journalists are supposed to hold those in power accountable, not cozy up to them at flashy, celebrity-filled events.
So I was in DC yesterday, hut I skipped the White House Correspondent's Dinner. It's an event I dislike. 1. It's not fun. 2. It's boring. 3. I dislike the idea of putting on a gown to both party with and mock people reporters are supposed to be covering. 1/
— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) April 29, 2018
Journalists are supposed to be in an antagonistic relationship w those in power. They should know the role of satire as social critique in a democracy-esp w a lying propagandist as Press Sec. This is what happens when 4th estate abdicates all responsibility in exchange for access https://t.co/DddXGRLBmS
— HawaiiDelilah (@HawaiiDelilah) April 30, 2018
Even many of Trump's critics agreed with his decision not to attend Nerd Prom. An evening of pretentious, self-congratulatory members of the media schmoozing with celebrities? No thanks.
Not attending the White House Correspondent’s Association dinner is probably the thing Trump has done that I support the most. He’s doing it for all the wrong reasons, but he’s still in the right.
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) April 6, 2018
#NerdPromRocks
But others think we shouldn't take Nerd Prom so seriously, it's healthy for the Washington elite to laugh at themselves every once in a while. Some of the greatest political moments have come out of the Correspondents' Dinner, lest we forget President Obama's scathing takedown of Trump in 2011?
Some believe that Trump's reluctance to attend the White House Correspondents dinner has everything to do with Obama dragging him back in 2011.
— Kaz Weida (@kazweida) April 6, 2018
I think we should all review the footage just to be sure.
👇 pic.twitter.com/hzMNzrFthV
#NerdPromRocks
We shouldn't abandon Nerd Prom just because Donald Trump is president. Michelle Wolf's monologue was brilliant, and we wouldn't have seen it if the Correspondents' Dinner ceased to exist.
This notion that the #WHCD must change radically—and maybe even take a year off—is absurd. Because Trumpy is upset about a couple of jokes at the little roast? Don’t ever talk to me about snowflakes. Ever.
— Touré (@Toure) April 30, 2018
