Jill biden, Vice President , kamala harris, second gentleman, emmoff, contentious time for our country hanging over the event as a political clout that we have never seen in this country. Honoring the press and offering scholarships, this evening will focus on reinforcing Freedom Of Speech and the vital role of free press plays in a true democracy. And you can likely guess why that is, donald trump, of course, presumptive gop nominee for president , who said he would be a dictator for a day if reelected. The same donald trump who is currently sitting on trial in new york, the first president to ever do so, the same donald trump who sent lawyers to the Supreme Court this week to argue that he should have absolute immunity and faced no prosecution for the january 6th insurrection, in fact, his eagle team argues that legal l team argues seek accountability for the attack on democracy. Then there is another constitutional right in the spotlight, and that is of course , the freedom to assemble, and the freedom to speak up about whatever you want. This evening amid protests over the u. S. And support for israels war in gaza, we are seeing demonstrators gather outside the Washington Hilton hotel. Back with us for tonight, special coverage, nbc democratic strategist, former Obama Campaign adviser, siriusxm host, cofounder of lincoln project, one half of comedy duo, the good liars, great to have you all with us. Again, the framing of the neck, backdrop of whats taking place in this country not lost and anyone who is in that room, it is an important show of a commitment to free speech, but one that is certainly at peril. It is, and also, they will talk tonight about journalists, like i hope they bring up the number of journalists killed in gaza. I know you have posted that online, and the fact being a ng journalist and in gaza means your life is taken away, and doing your job. Reporters on the ground covering it, and were killed. Wartime correspondence, killed with u. S. Weaponry, to be wi blunt. Right. I hope they are acknowledged for their sacrifice trying to get the story to the world. You can disagree or agree on what the facts are, from a political point of view, but a factual point of view, they fa want us to know the facts, and they were killed for that. I hope they are honored and recognized. Dangerous things facing this country, these protests are just being described as pro hamas sympathizers. Weve seen tom cotten talk about what should happen to these protesters, maga mike, speaker of the house, saying he wants the National Guard brought in on these protesters exercising their First Amendment rights. These protests are not perfect, there are problems with them, but undoubtedly, they are engaging in something that is probably one of the most important, if not the most important right we have as americans, and you have republicans threatening them by calling them terrorists, and basically paving the way for ba violence to be used against them. We are seeing that played out at emory university, and at university of texas. Not only Freedom Of Speech, but the right to assemble, in these cases, in the majority, these are peaceful assemblies. Any persons painting them as terrorists, iranian proxies, yeah, and weve heard that from individuals, i think its very frustrating to see individuals, who are literally fighting for the protection of innocent individuals who are dying in droves, being positioned as people who are supporting hamast and Equating Instant Palestinians as terrorists. That is what we are seeing happen as well. Thats a frustrating place to be, because many of these students, folks are calling for them to lose their scholarships, to not have financial aid, they are locking them out of their dorms. Some of these students are so becoming homeless. We are seeing advisers and those standing in lockstep, instructors being arrested as well, in addition to local journalists in multiple cities across the country who are covering the protests. Weve seen them get thrown down by police officers. This has gotten to a place where we cant say we are upholding free speech rights, if they are also pushing this at the same time. She brings up a good point about these protests we are seeing. Law professor at emory university, another was literally thrown to the floor, a student was tased while already on the ground with hands zip tied, and it speaks to the issue weve been discussing in black lives matter protests, Police Reform issues, the over militarization of police when it rubs up against First Amendment rights of free speech. No matter where you come down on the issues of gaza, israel, the palestinian cause right now, no matter where you come out of this, American Democracy and the Representative Democracy we have treasured is based on public comment, debate, the presence whether in the streets, the newspapers, in Public Forums of any kind, and if we start to say we are going to use the fully militarized power of these state Police Forces that are very tooled up now, to breaking use things up, the minute they crossed that line of violence thats a different ballgame. But, right now, those things are the outliers in these protests. And tlagain, you dont have to agree, you just have to understand, this is america, free speech still exists, and political speech like this is li the most highly protected speech there is. And, look. Im in the middle of being sued by mike flynn for 10 million, because he doesnt like what i said about twitter, okay . And that sort of thing, it t strikes you the right is weaponizing on the laffaire front and the Law Enforcement front to weaponize everything against speech they disagree with now. For all their posturing, their elon musk and free speech, its not the commitment to free speech, its their speech. Important point. Jason, as a comedian, and somebody who also engages [ laughter ] engages in satire as well, reflect on that for us a moment. People on the right claim to be free speech absolutists, but you see how thinskinned they are when they get pressed by a journalist, with a ron desantis, elon musk, or donald trump, but just weigh in on that for us. Where do you find our Wh Discussions and our tolerance for satire and the comedy you provide . A lot of people we talked to, and especially in things like the March For Life and trump rallies, we talked to people who are like free speech the First Amendment, everything that we have to protect that with our lives, and they also would say i am a christian nationalist, i think it should a be a christian nation in the same breath, like separation of church and state, thats an important part of the founding of our country. So, it feels like the elon musk thing, where as long as it is not directed at me, then its fine. You want to stoke, like have anyone, the comedy directed at your enemies or your opponents, and you want to go after them, dont ever turn against me. Look whats going on now. This is happening under a democratic president. I dont blame President Biden, imagine if trump was in the white house right now. That what he would embolden in terms of republican governors doing even worse, local republicans doing worse, and i would like to see President Biden speak out more in defense of free speech when its peaceful protest. Some of the language of n some the students, or some protesters, the extreme ones on the periphery, yes. That should be denounced, antisemitism. Of course. Expect i dont want anti semites supporting our cause. But these protests are peaceful. I would hope President Biden would say these people have a right to protest. We want free speech pro palestinians . Shut them down. Same thing. Black lives matter what trump called black lives matter a symbol of hate and used military to shut it down. When you are white and fighting for trump its fine, but if you are of color you should be demonized, arrested, stripped of your fundamental rights. I was petalking with jason stanley, professor at yale, earlier, and the way this language is used to basically invoke this kind of reaction among officials and politicians to pave the way for this violence we are talking about, thats the dangerous thing, because you dont have adults in the Republican Party to rein in these folks. That moment with john mccain. He defended president obama. In retrospective, it was a problematic statement, but again. Yes, and i would give john mccain the benefit of the doubt, because it was an off thecuff comment, i think he generally meant youre using it as an insult. But the point i was trained to make is that there are no republicans who would stand up right now and say these are people who are testing for something they believe in. We may not agree with it, but they should be protected the majority of the Republican Party is not the same as it was. There were people who supported that. Now its like they are in a different position. I think that puts our nation in a scary place. Agreed. The most convenient thing in the world at any moment is to find the enemy of the day. They have a catalog of imaginary demons every day, and it rotates. This week it is kids protesting on campuses, and they are all al qaeda or whatever. Every migrant coming from the border is a muslim sleeper cell or a Latin American child smuggler, whatever. They always have to go for the farthest edge of the explanation. Right. And they are always chasing the dragon on it, trying to feed this Media Machine that, its like a conveyor belt, and they can never stop, and they can never dial it back. They, the wretched only turns one way, and so they cant describe anyone as something less than evil. Let me ask you broadly speaking about concern from a political standpoint, is this a cause of concern for democrats as they are, and this is happening under a democratic president , should he be concerned . The coalition of people it represents, and the young voters going to win reelection . I think i would direct them more to be concerned about how the maga Media Machine is going to portray this. These kids will go to the democratic convention. What does steve bannon want . The 1968 violence, riots the violence, the riots, the craziness. They want the scene of the one protester attacking a cop. Its okay on january 6th, because those are patriots, what they want that stuff to feed this machine that convinces millions of americans that they are onevote away from, you know, being forced to have gay marriage or whatever imaginary demons. Under trump, the violence, they would amplify and show the most extreme example, happened under trump. Than they do it all the time, the playbook on the right, and again, this time someone on the left, the most extreme person le in the propalestinian movement and say thats who they are. Thats why you have to be against it, and youre not, you are prohamas. I think most people dont take that part seriously, but you mentioned earlier, whatever trump says is what they believe. If trump said we love palestinians, they should [ laughter ] we will give 2 billion more. It would be hannity. Thats the american position. But you watch, they flip every position, and its like magic. It is a problem for biden, i mean come of the younger voters. We saw it in michigan. Like, i think wisconsin, michigan, something politically he has to be mindful of. There is time between now and the election where this issue can be not just the war brought to an end, but a pathway to addressing the grievances of these students, and his coalition of people taking to the streets, because they want to see broader change in policy towards the middle east. He can offer that vision, and perhaps one of the ways he can argue is say i can do that if you give me four more years. Trump who has been saying, Shoe Protesters in the knees, will come into the white house. The interesting point here, israelis wanted different, too. Netanyahu is the mastermind of one of the most astounding power plays in history, and then vast majority of Israeli Citizens are saying this is nots working. Lets do a quick reset. When we come back we will listen to more of the historic speeches that were delivered at the white house Correspondents Dinners over the years. Im 32 years old, which is an odd age. 10 years too young to host, and 20 years too old for ld for charmin ultra soft smooth tear has wavy perforations that tear so much better for a smooth more enjoyable go. Charmin, enjoy the go. Nexium 24hr prevents Heartburn Acid before it begins. Get allday and allnight Heartburn Acid Prevention with just one pill a day. Choose acid prevention. Choose nexium. [coughing] copd isnt pretty. Im out of breath, and often out of the picture. But this is my story. and with oncedaily trelegy, it can still be beautiful. 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Now, 20 hour is here. Thanks to Governor Newsom and leaders in sacramento, we can lift workers out of poverty. Stop the race to the bottom in the fastfood industry. And build a california for all of us. Thank you governor and our california lawmakers for fighting for what matters. We are Just Moments Away from the official start of the white house Correspondents Dinner at the Washington Hilton hotel. Our own Kelly Odonnell is it to take the mic soon. In this melting pot of persons, that brings us to the red carpet where we find julia jester. Try to see you. Who have you spoken to . What have they told you . Reporter well, ayman, in order to get into the ballroom you have to make it past that massive, massive crowd of protesters outside. And i spoke with some of the celebrities that made an appearance tonight and asked them about the protest in the movement, and what they made of it all, and actress sophia bush said that it really underscores to her the purpose of the evening, of celebrating the First Amendment, the right to free speech and to assemble. Here is what she thought about it. I think we are incredibly fortunate to live in a functioning democracy, where we have the right to protest. We see states around the country attempting to take that right away from citizens and residents, and we think its unacceptable. I think if anything, its important to be here tonight, to stand in defense of a free press, particularly when you see the numbers of journalists who have been held in gaza. It is devastating. Reporter and so, while tonight is a celebration of press freedom, the First Amendment, it is not lost on anyone that there are more than 100 journalists that have been killed in gaza. Journalists detained overseas wrongly, like Evan Gershkovich. We saw colin jost with his wife, scarlett johansson. Our own Kelly Odonnell, said she chose jost for his smart brand of comedy, and the white house, an official saying, as for bidens speech, hes expected to poke some fun at himself. I asked some of the celebrities on the red carpet what they hope to hear tonight. They are all here in good fun. Billy porter, the famous actor, said that he wants biden to celebrate his winds that hes had read im sure as you are aware, nothing is off limits for the topic of Comedy Tonight. We will keep a close eye on the snl Weekend Update anger, and see how his jokes fared in a crowd of real journalists, here at the dinner, tonight. And so once everything wraps, they will be facing a sea of protesters outside. It is quite a juxtaposition of this Freedom Of Assembly happening outside, emphasizing the fact there are all these Journalists Inside Sobering Press Freedom as it is a difficult time for journalism in the country and throughout the world, Ayman Mohyeldin. That is great point i want to pick up on. Julia, thank you. Let me pick up on that point that julia raised, about journalists Around The World. Last night at the Overseas Press Club here in new york, i had a chance to light the candle in honor of journalists who have been killed Around The World. Over 100 journalists this year. The vast majority of them in gaza since the war began. You had journalists in israel, lebanon, guatemala, from mexico, to elsewhere, who were killed. Journalism Around The World is coming under tremendous attack on the Freedom Of Speech is coming under tremendous attack. We saw the iranian government announce they will execute an iranian rapper simply for singing against the regime. Not a journalist, but it gives you a glimpse of the way freedoms are being rolled back, and those trying to report are being killed and silenced. President biden since the early days of his presidency talked about the contest of democracy and autocracy, and we have to be aware of the struggle, and you are seeing it tickled where there is more clamping down on journalists, even in places where you hope it wouldnt be happening. Then the actual killing of journalists in gaza with no regard that they are wearing press outfits, they are killed because they are expendable. So hopefully resident biden will make fun of you by name. And i think he knows be me. Donald trump would send maga bombs to the media. Journalists were roughed up at his rally. The contrast is clear. What is happening in gaza and Around The World is alarming because with trump that could happen here in america. This fight is happening for democracy versus autocracy. Its already happening. It is coming toward us. I want to ask you something julia mentioned, a smart brand of comedy. [ laughter ] the Comedy Tonight matters. Its not just a testament to the ability to have free speech, but satire plays an Important Role in the way we understand our politics, and we think back to great comedians who have taken aim at some of the most difficult subjects in our countrys history, and find a way to make fun of them, to address them, to make them understandable to people, who otherwise can wrap their heads around them. Im going to talk about a story, great comedians, this is a subpar Comedian Story i will tell you, but thinking about what you said earlier, we were there january 6th, and outside the capitol, and people saw that i had a microphone. In my pocket. And they said look its the fake media, and they surrounded us. Luckily a flash bang went off, everybody turned around, and we got out but we so what happened january 6th, like news crews were pushed over. Daily news, there have been attacks on the media here, and the reddick from donald trump is always they are not going to show the crowd, that is the fake, lying media right there. So, there is, journalism is under attack, but with comedy i think comedy has a special place in telling truth, and truth to power in a way, it actually affects them, so you see trump not showing up to the correspondence dinner, because he has that thinskinned, he knows when something is true, and when people are laughing at him its the one thing he cannot control, and it hurts him. So comedy really does have power. It was powerful enough to scare a sitting president away from the white house Correspondents Dinner. Donald trump is a man who loves dictators and authoritarian figures, he loves love letters with kim jong un, victor orb on mr lago, he loves the president of turkey. There is a common thread, where none of them have a Vibrant Oppositional Press let alone a free press. He is dictator curious on all these things. [ laughter ] the fact this guy wants to do things from the mechanical side of it to encourage people to attack the press to trying to dilute the power that the Constitution Enshrines about the freedom of the press, those things are all corrosive. He emulates people from countries with respect to the press, for individual liberty, human rights, all those things, they are in a bundled together. You dont end up in countries where there is broad respect for human rights and attacks on the free press. They all Work Together or not at all. Okay, let me give you guys an update. The president is there with Kelly Odonnell, theres a Video Presentation that will get under way. We expect that to happen as well as some awards, important awards handed out to the future generation of journalists. Thats what i was going to ask you about, ameshia, the state of press and journalism around this country. How do you think we as the media at large are doing in covering and juxtaposing the threat donald trump poses, what he represents, the risk versus what joe biden is doing, and what he presents for our country. Are we making that distinction enough for American Voters or not . I think it could be done more. I have seen press call out the racist notes that donald trump house, replacement theory, and various levels, in addition to his attacks on the trans community. Its not permeating, so right now we have a segmented Media Landscape where you watch more of our legacy print media disappear, people are fighting to maintain those roles, and younger people are going towards Digital Media whether getting their news from youtube or tiktok, or whomever else, and they think its become more difficult to not only educate and inform, but also to get people to understand why Investigatory Press is so important, why people are in the streets to begin with. Thats become a much harder thing to do, and i think in some cases we amplify the wrong voices. Lets listen in to our colleague, Kelly Odonnell. Your chick attention. [ cheers and applause ] that was a lot of fun, and you see how lucky i am to have so many friends with big personalities who are willing to be silly and help us kick things off tonight, thank you across all the networks, thank you friends for turning up for that. Mr. President , Vice President harris, dr. Biden, and mr. Emhoff. We celebrate freedoms enduring and tested. Your presence speaks loudly about the essential connection between a free press, Freedom Of Speech, and the democracy we value. [ cheers and applause ] tonight, we will honor excellence, we will look to the future with support for our student scholars, but we know that eyes are wide open here. We come together for this Grant Evening in Tumultuous Times with crises and conflicts all around us, theres no mistaking that. We also know that life has many dimensions, including time to celebrate, and time to left. So many of you reached out to say how excited you are to see colin jost as our entertainer. [ cheers and applause ] let me be honest when your dream choice to headline says yes for this crowd that is a good day. That is a good day, thank you, colin jost. I know colin cares about history like so many of us in the White House Correspondents association, and i dont mean dusty books in the library. I learned a lot about washington from Hearing Laughter on saturday nights when i was growing up in ohio. And that showed me humor can take on serious subjects and was feeling a little lighter. So i asked colin and our friends on saturday night live to open up the time capsule, nearly 50 years of political humor to take us on a fun and funny ride. Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States. No problem. Here, here, here, here, and here. Not gonna do it. I will do this. I will do this. I will do them both together. The thing about being a leader, leader has to make very tough decisions, thats why im going with the chimichanga. We are almost out of time. Each candidate, some up the best argument for your candidacy. Strategically. Vice president gore . Lockbox. [ laughter ] obama my god, what happened . You made barack obama angry, and when you make barack obama angry, he turns into the rock obama. Hey, everybody, its me your favorite vb, joe biden, and im inviting you to join me this monday, the biden bash. Can you jump higher than me . Find out in a game i call do you think you can jump higher than me . Join me for my kung fu exhibition. Biden time. Are you okay, Wall Street Journal . Ive never even heard of you, mr. Cohen. Your mother has. Hey hey i cannot believe this mishap and in iowa because of an app. I have an idea for an app, its called no app. Senator Mitch Mcconnell being of as has come out in favor of the bill that would potentially ban tiktok in the u. S. Of course for mcconnell, tiktok is what the grim reaper says while tapping his watch. Jesus did some incredible things, someone call them miracles, in regards to fish, in regards to bread. There are other speeches out there, but this is mine. I wrote it myself for last night, while spitting into an empty bag of doritos. We are going to get in there, so close, we are going to get this close. See, this is legally close. Can we get back to the hello, doordash . Its chuck schumer. Congressman George Santos seen here, indicted on federal charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, and identity theft, he was also indicted for reckless homicide when that shot off his jacket and killed a bystander. Expect this entire country has been bowling me, just because i am a proud gay, thief. America hates to see a latina queen win it. Im not just a senator, im a wife. A mother. And the craziest in the target parking lot. House Speaker Mike Johnson so none of them would be charged with a crime. We will unfortunately never know who they are. Its a terrible time for our country. I am standing weirder than ever. Lets do this we may be from different eras, but at the end of the day we are both joe freaking biden, and live from new york, its saturday night we are live, and our dateline is washington. Thank you, lauren michaels, colin, and the snl team. Now to our first bit of business. 50 years of snl, we can applaud for a moment. That was my whole life flashing before my eyes of watching all of that. We begin with our business of the words tonight, and we honor excellence, not only to recognize the superb reporting, writing, and photography, but to inspire more great work from so many of you, when true facts real accountability, and well reported insights are so vital. I turned to a news man i first met when i was a college intern, and he was a local anchor in chicago, that means ive admired him for a long time. Please welcome the anchor and imaging editor of nbc nightly news, lester holt. [ cheers and applause ] thank you, kelly, i am so proud to be your colleague. What an amazing night this is thank you and the team for everything. Each your panel of independent judges reviews dozens of entries for the five major journalisms awards of the whca. Its my honor to announce this use winners. The aldo Beckman Award four late correspondent, aldo beckman goes to barak ravid. Reporting was almost an intimate level of stories closely aligned to events subsequently transpired. His stories put the reader into the room as decisions were being made in a tumultuous aftermath of the october 7th hamasled raids on israel. Ladies and gentlemen, the whca is pleased to get the aldo Beckman Award to barak ravid. [ cheers and applause ] [ laughter ] [ applause ] the whca gives out two awards for reporting under deadline pressure, one for print, another for broadcast. Each includes a prize of 2500. This years winner is peter baker of the New York Times. [ cheers and applause ] the judges said bakers coverage of President Joe Bidens visit to israel just days after the october 7th attacks filed on deadline from tel aviv combined a comprehensive recounting of that Whirlwind Trip with expert reporter driven analysis of the presents messaging and priorities during a fraud moment. He carefully selected observations with reporting and behindthescenes detailed summarized the crosscurrents diplomatic chaos and other challenges surrounding the journey. His story not only helped advance developments in the fastmoving situation in real time it included a sensitive assessment of the underlying dynamics and Historic Context that allows it to stand as a definitive, written recount, of the day despite being filed on deadline. Is welcome the winner of that deadline award for print, peter baker. [ cheers and applause ] [ laughter ] now the broadcast award for excellence under deadline pressure. This years winner is tamara keith, npr. It goes to present for her work on the president s trip to israel. The judges said her gripping audio report expertly took listeners behindthescenes of the 31hour trip to tel aviv repairing her audience for the president s statement to america later that night. Sound rich and textured and written on Air Force One, while in route back to the United States, keiths story lays out the president s thinking and brings visitors along the trip to hear the president himself announce breaking news. And keiths quick work as part of the White House Press pool to share audio also speaks volumes of her professionalism, and of her dedication not only to her employer, npr, but also her colleagues at the White House Correspondents association, and to washington journalism. Whca is pleased to honor the Deadline Reporting of nprs tamara keith. [ cheers and applause ] thank you so much. Hello, mr. President. I would love to. Okay, lets do a picture. [ laughter ] [ cheers and applause ] now the word for excellence in president ial News Coverage by visual journalists. This award recognizes a video or photojournalist for uniquely covered the presidency from a journalistic standpoint either at the white house, or in the field. This could be breaking news, a scheduled event, or featured coverage. It includes a price of 2500. This years award goes to doug mills, the New York Times. For this photo of President Biden boarding Air Force One in warsaw for the journey back to washington, d. C. After meetings and speeches about the war in ukraine. The judges praised the photo for showcasing three key elements, action, composition, and feeling. They each viewed the picture differently agreeing whether the picture is foreboding or optimistic, the petition is left to the viewer. Of the entries, they said this photograph best captured the newsmaking year. Please congratulate photographer doug mills, the New York Times. [ cheers and applause ] the prize for State Government accountability is presented by the university of Florida College of journalism and communications, this is the figure we have presented this prize at the dinner, and it comes with a check for 25,000. This years award goes to a collaboration between the Texas Tribune, propublic, and frontline, reporting on the tragic mishandling of the active shooter situation at Robb Elementary School in uvalde texas, may, 2022. [ applause ] titled, unprepared, it is comprised of a series of Newspaper Articles and a Frontline Documentary. The meticulously researched report explains why Robb Elementary School students and teachers remained barricaded in the classroom for 77 minutes with the gunman while more than 100 police and military officers scrambled to find radios, flash bangs, shields, and the key to unlock the classroom. It was surmised the classroom might have been open during the entire siege. For more than a year, l creol, with the Texas Tribune and propublica led a team of reporters who hundreds of around hours interviews to untangle the actions and inactions that into the depths of 21 people including 19 children. Creole and colleagues, lexi churchville, exact aspirin, contributed to the series, wrote, and directed the Frontline Documentary, one of the judges said it was a standout investigation into the missteps of Law Enforcement during one of the most Horrific School shootings in recent u. S. History. The accompanying Frontline Documentary was especially strong using Officer Body Cam Footage and recording debriefings with officers to take the risk inside the investigation of what went wrong, and why those entrusted to protect children and teachers failed to act until it was too late to save some of the victims. Here to accept the award, creole, churchill, and zach test part. [ cheers and applause ] [ cheers and applause ] and now, the Katharine Graham award for courage and accountability. It is of course named in honor of a legendary Washington Post publisher, and this year it goes to the newspaper she helmed. Breaking Industry Norms to inform and show readers how the ar15 weapon inflicts horrific damage to the human body. The post was transparent about its Reporting Methodology and Courageous In Publishing Graphic Images of victims of Mass Shootings including children, and the aftereffects on survivors and families. It handled this sensitive subject well with prominent warnings to breeders that the images may be disturbing, and conversations with the families papers methodology and intentions. The posts executive editor sally busby published a lengthy explanation outlining the newspapers choices. She acted with sensitivity towards the victims and survivors and elevated our nations Important National conversation about gun safety, gun ownership rights, and the tragic blast effects of the ar 15. The posts decision to publish the story exemplifies the journalism, courage, and skill that Katharine Graham exhibited regularly under her leadership. Is welcome the winners of the Katharine Graham award from the Washington Post, nick kirkpatrick, Sylvia Foster frau, todd franco, and peter walhston. [ cheers and applause ] [ applause ] lets hear it One More Time for all this years winners. [ applause ] Ladies And Gentlemen from Meet The Press we take you inside the white house Correspondents Dinner for the night by the numbers. Our own Steve Kornacki is at the big board to break it all down. Steve . All right, ive been crunching some numbers, and lets start with the map, not an electoral map, but a map of the banquet hall. You can see there are 260 tables, each one set for 10. That works out to 2600 people. Now, if it feels cramped around here, its for good reason, the entire venue less than 30,000 square feet, so good luck maneuvering your way around, and leave a little extra room if you will for your servers. A quarter of a century, that is the average experience at whca dinners for each team member. Whats the most delicious thing on the menu . Holy potatoes 675 pounds of them, this almost might be a nod to a certain president s irish roots. Heres a number to keep in mind, the number is 16, as in there are 16 sitting president s who have attended this dinner through the years, starting with calvin coolidge, 1923. Enough about the president s, i want to talk you for a minute. You are doing something very important by being at this dinner, contributed to scholarships for the next generation of journalists, 30 of them Waiting In The Wings tonight, bringing me to the single most important number i can share this evening, 3. 5 million in scholarships from the whca and partners given out since the 1990s. Congratulations to the recipients. Thats her dinner data. We are going to go to a quick break. You are watching msnbc special coverage. Coverage. Or more can be overwhelming. So, ask your doctor about botox®. Botox® prevents headaches in adults with chronic migraine before they even start. Its the 1 prescribed branded chronic migraine treatment. So far, more than 5 million botox® treatments have been given to over Eight Hundred And Fifty Thousand chronic migraine patients. Effects of botox® may spread hours to weeks after injection causing serious symptoms. 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Flonase all good. Also, try our Allergy Headache and nighttime pills. Welcome back, everyone, to msnbcs continuing coverage of the 2024 white house correspondence dinner. I am Ayman Mohyeldin with my allstar panel. The jokes, the roasts, for both the president and s ls colin jost, but first, lets bring in our panel to talk about what we have been watching, dino, host of siriusxm. Rick wilson, cofounder lincoln project, one half of the comedy duo the i have to say the one half part. It is in the writer along with the m ms. I found one green one, and want to say on the air. So we got a glimpse of the awards. And it speaks to the moment we find ourselves in. Several of the journalists that won those awards having to do with the reporting around the israelgaza war. What did you make of that . Joe biden has not fallen asleep anytime during this event, so maybe there should be articles contrasting the two there. They will make the point of look how biden is engaging, he is having a real conversation, to take the photo, i think he was remarkable he saw reporting having to do with President Bidens trip there. Im surprised they are doing it now, i am hoping they will talk about the loss of life and journalists who are in gaza and others Around The World, but so many, over 100 depending on what the estimates are, that is talked about as well. That is important to honor that. Or that. Will certainly keep an eye on ly this event, we are waiting for the roasting in the comedy, but certainly if there is any mention of that we will bring us to our audience, but how did you make of the event going so far, in terms of the awards that were given out, and the backdrop, Juxtaposition Betweenr Those Awards being handed out to their orders on the inside of the Protest Letter taking place on the outside. We think some of the biggest stories are the ones that are actually getting the awards. The great reporting coming out of gaza, but also the juxtaposition with that and what happened in uvalde, for instance. And the war, so to speak with who is going to have common sense going, if it is ever going to happen, and the risk ap of all of these young people dying and things not moving forward. I think what is happening outside is something that needs to happen in this country. To we have talked about it in breaks past, this americas Protest Rights are something that are valid, they are extremely important, it is vital to the progress of our democracy, it is vital to check on not only the government here, but it is represented by many journalists that were missile. Lets take a listen to some of these past clips from the white house Correspondents Dinner. At the steakhouse, the mensh cooking team did not impress the judge putt from omaha steaks. And there was a lot of blame to go around, but you, mr. Trump, recognize that the real problem was a lack of leadership and so, ultimately, you didnt blame littlejohn, or meatloaf. You fired gary bc. And these are the kind of decisions that will keep me up at night. What was donald trump thinking, when he recovered from this . Tonight your answer. Welcome i will tell you, i will tell you, it is really a tremendous opportunity to be at the most failed to dinner th anybody has ever seen, great to see you losers. A lot of people say that hello everybody, whys it so quiet . What is happening . It is quieter than sleepy joe, hello, joe, good to see you. We are going to debate right . That is what the saying is, theres a lot of great people here, scarlett johannesburg. Scarlet is here, from black sc widow. I love the blocks. I really love the blacks. It is true. You have a lot of people that could potentially be a vice ul president , you have laura trump, who is a lot better than ronald mcdonald, who doesnt love ronald mcdonald, right . Im loving it. You would like a happy meal right . You like that . But i will tell you, this dinner you are so tight, it is so uptight right . This dinner is better than is taylor swifts new album, the tortured president s department. Look at him, white tuxedo, he doesnt like me too much, right . But i will tell you, the chinese apps are being bent, it is horrible, we have to post our david on snapchat, that is what they are saying . Lets face it, folks, i am on fire, like the guy outside the courthouse, right . Not soon enough, not soon enough. But i will tell you, i am killing this dinner, harder than christie gnome kills the puppies, moving on, please. Even bernie has something to say. Mr. Trump, you have no idea what the ordinary experiences every day americans are. I am concerned with battling the ruthless dictators, like vladimir putin, can we all ad agree on that . Can we all agree . Even mitch would agree with that right now, mitch . Well let me begin by stating what a privilege it is. To be at this dinner, celebrating ordinary americans, and africanamericans. Scooby doo, let me turn it to barack to close it out. You been a lot of fun, and i have to close up i say, when i was on the can pale Campaign Trail in 2008, i would say you are fired up, crowd what say you are ready to go. So, you had a long show, are you fired up . Are you fired up . Im ready to go, good night, guys. Back to kelly, thank you so much, good night. Thank you. Thank you, mr. President. Talk about making an impression. You have just seen a man of more than 200 voices, who can capture the essence of anyone. So, please give it up for matt friend. Thank you, matt. Putting this evening together is just one part, one important part of being president of our s association. I am happy to welcome a good friend, who will succeed me ie later this summer and we promise a peaceful transition. Please welcome, from political, eugene daniels. All right, guys, so we were just listening to comedian, matt friend, a friend of the show, we should note actually. Someone who has been a regular contributor, too, when you think of his Prep Impressions . I thought mcconnell was the response, very much spot on. You close your eyes, he is a deadpan donald trump, not just because he sounds like it, but the kind of incoherent rambling on the randomness of the things he goes after. Look at that. Yeah. Hes hes very talented. I guess it was a year ago, just rattling off 100 in a row, 00 different impressions. That is a real talent. Yeah. I will tell you one thing though, as a comedian myself, because i am still a comedian at heart. How do you another comedian to an appearance when you are a comedian, you might be stepping on the jokes that colin is going to do about christie gnome or elevating too much trump, that should really be a at solution of Freedom Of Speech, read him up present some on President Biden for being es there. I am not saying it is back, i am saying leaning into leaning into matt friend . No, he is very talented, he is great. He didnt show up i know, right . He didnt just show off that is not my point. He did a great job, but what he did, the boys, you have colin, the president , and why make it so much about trump on this . Lets not make every thing about trump, this is a celebration of free speech, free press, and President Biden, to be honest. Okay, well you have any l comments would like to make about matt friends dean, dean has a hard time being that is awesome, but i was so like oh, go dean has a hard time being gracious. There is a real talent that comes from being able to do that many impressions succinctly, they were believable. I thought he did a great job. Yeah, but also, i think when you are that good of an observer, i think, just to be a comedian and impressionist, who observed the nuance of the personalities, and you bring them to life, and you certainly did, which i think is why he nk has become the star that he is. I have an impression of you already. Lets see it. Something with his hands, leaning in. You have one more commercial break. Again this was not a criticism of matt friend at all. I got you. Just the curating, what did you have another comedian come in and do it seems like you are a little bit other for not being invited to the white house . Let me talk about this at the break. And we just talked about how they give these were that, this is the best reporting that has ever been done on this issue, and then heres a check for 2500, at the end of it. I think it should be a little bit more money right . I will tell you this, heres the important part of this, you are looking right now at the screen of your scholarship winners, the recipients of the 3. 5 million. So im going to go Out On A Limb and say, they dont give the money to the journalists. All right, all right. They dont they give it to the recipients, but maybe not announce that we are going to give a 2500 check to the Award Winners. That should go to the panelists. All you guys got was a diet coke and some water. So no, joking aside, we are waiting for the president to speak, and we are waiting to hear from colin jost, but the theme that Kelly Odonnell talked about, the Freedom Of Speech and the significance of e this moment, he made a very interesting point as well, which is the humor that the president was engaging in, President Biden was laughing at jokes that were being made at his expense, and that is what, in some ways, this event is all about in the most simplest form. I think some people take that for granted, and weve seen it. A friend of ours, boston you said, in the middle east, years ago, when i interviewed him, he said one of the most Amazing Things in your country is your White House Correspondents. Where the president of the United States sits there and knows he will be mocked, and less at the jokes and is fine with it. Whereas, in other countries, you cant do that, and it moved me to how we should look at how important this is and how trump not going says it really goes it is undemocratic, it is a much bigger issue than not loving, it is going against vi what is so defined, we can mark the president , comedians can all of it, this is america, the United States. Trump wont allow that. If you go gets back and theres Nothing Holding him back. Theres a lot of journalist let me know, but lets watch a video of these journalist right now engaging in a little bit of humor. I am a white house radio correspondent, of course my office is a windowless closet in the basement. Im a white house audio technician, testing, 12345678 910. I am a White House Correspondent, of course i listen to what is going on around here. I am a White House Correspondent, course i know your list, peter. Knock it off. I am a White House White reporter, of course anyone on the record doesnt require an actual name. Scene here, u. S. Officials. I am a white house producer, of course i have a glass from Air Force One, or maybe a little bit more. We are White House Correspondents, of course we spent half hour time in scranton. I am a white house photojournalist, of course we call this the last cafeteria, because we eat. I am a white house reporter. Of course i am desperate for an interview with biden. I am a White House Correspondent multiple questions and multiple topics, with multiple followups im a White House Press secretary, of course i sidestepr if you questions here and d there, with i dont want to get ahead of the president. Tonight, im going to get ahead of the president , and have a speech right here. And there are some great punchlines. No. No. No. No. No. No. We are the White House Press, of course we move the press out of the oval. Thank you. Thank you. I am a White House Correspondent and of course, ofr course we want to take you behind the scenes. This is one night where we celebrate, we laugh, hopefully at ourselves, we take a breath and a beat, before we get back to work. With a world on edge, a nation weary, but resilient. A campaign that is not the echo of four years ago, however familiar the names and the issues. All of this a heck of a story. Our White House Correspondents association included hundred journalists from all branches of the news business. We are 250 News Organizations and our members represent 39 countries. Covering news that emanates from the white house and arounda the world. Our work at its best seeks information and accountability, not specific outcomes. And that rain, we ask questions. We often shut questions. We welcome more opportunities to post them in a calm and measured way, we strive for knowledge but not noise. These days, with the boundless resources of taxpayers and donors, and the skill of no marketing experts, any white house or campaign, can create its own content. We believe that independent professional journalists on hand to document the immense events of a presidency are stewards of something precious, more enduring than any new cycle or trending topic. We preserve the historical record. Part of the legacy of the First Amendment. Our Association Act as the primary voice, supporting a sprawling press corps, with many separate employers. Er we advocate and organize for press access around all daily events, foreign and domestic trips, and then we tackle things, like Workspace Facilities and membership activities. I am grateful to our board for all of your hard work. And a special thank you to our executive director, steve, for your expertise and dedication. Thank you, steve. My gratitude is multiplying, because this marks an anniversary for me, 30 years with nbc news. Mr. President , that might have been applauding age there, i dont know. I am optimistic. But that we can do more to demonstrate that a free press serves democracy. We have work to do to understand the difference between reporting and posting to inform and not to inflame. Those close to me know that i have been counting the days to this dinner for months. But i knew there are others in our News Community who have been counting too, for very different reasons. The Wall Street Journal they are counting, for moscow correspondent, evan verskovich, 396 days in russia, since he was detained. Evan and his family are with us tonight. And that could be with you always. Always. We remember austin tice, 4276 days nearly 12 years since he was kidnapped in syria, his mother, debra is with us, and this is tice, we are with you. And mr. President , again, we humbly ask that you do everything you can to bring in them home. Our profession can be perilous, since october, about 100 journalists have been killed, most of those deaths in gaza, according to the committee, to protect journalists. Around the world, more than 320 reporters imprisoned as of december, including an american with dual russian citizenship. Who works for the u. S. Funded, radio free europe, radio free liberty. She has been jailed in russia since october. At home there are different challenges, online threats, hostility vented at reporters on the job, and anxieties about a paycheck. Layoffs have hit our business la very hard this year. For News Consumers who believe that a free press is essential, demonstrate that belief with a subscription. Show that professionally gathered news is a product you value. Ct and we owe you our best efforts and our highest standards. So, i have a ritual that began years ago, when i first started on the beat, that, no matter t, what is going on i make a point to think about this every time i walk through the gates. I remember that i am the T Granddaughter Of Irish Immigrants who came here, with little and believed in a big, bright future. I recognize that any day could shift from quiet to consequential, upended by unexpected events. History could pivot that very day. So i asked myself, will i be ready . Will i be worthy . Will you . Past whca presidency the audience tonight, i can see our press corps, please stand up. Former Board Members of the whca please stand. Our chief White House Correspondents, please stand. Our current correspondence, reporters, producers, visual and Broadcast Journalist please stand. Colleagues, who have previously covered the white house, i am so proud of all of you. And join me, join me in a tradition, where we show our respect for the office we cover. On this night, a toast to the First Amendment, and to the president. Mr. President. And now, i get to say words those irish grandparents, and my mom and dad never thought were possible. I am honored to welcome the 46th president of the united dates, joe biden. Thank you, thank you, thank you. If you think your irish grandparents are wondering, migrate, great grandparents are together in 1846 going what in the hell is going on. I want to thank you for the warm welcome. Please, not so loud. Donald is listening. Sleepy don. I kind of like that, they may use that again. A Kelly Odonnell, president of the White House Correspondents association thank you for having me. Kelly o, lets be honest, you are way too young to be president. It has been a year, since i delivered the speech, my wife, jill, is with me tonight, was h worried how i do. I told her, dont worry, just like riding a bike. She said, thats what im worried about. Of course, the 2024 elections is in full swing, and yes, ages an issue. Im a grown man. Running against a sixyearold. Well, i feel great. I really feel great. I am campaigning all over the country. Pennsylvania, georgia, north carolina. I have always done well in the original 13 colonies. And speaking of history, did you hear what donald said about a major Civil War Battle . Quote, gettysburg, wow. Trumps speech was so embarrassing, the statue of robert e lee surrendered again. But look, ages the only thing we have in common. My Vice President actually endorses me. I had a great stretch, since the State Of The Union. Donald has had a few tough days lately. You might call it stormy weather. What the hell . Trump is so desperate he started reading those bibles he is selling. Then he got to the first commandment, you should have no other gods before me. Thats when he put it down and said this book is not for me. Look, being here is a reminder folks think what is going on in congress is political theater. That is not true. If congress were theater, they would have thrown out Lauren Probert a long time ago. To all my friends in the press, and foxnews, some of you complain that i dont take co enough of your questions. No comment. Of course, the New York Times issued a statement, blasting me for quote, active and effectively avoiding independent journalists. Hey, if that is what it takes to get the New York Times to say i am active and effective i am for it. It is okay. I have higher standards, i do interviews with strong, independent journalists. They listen to howard stern that has been doing this have his moment northern critics. Ignore the critics. Lauren is a great friend, who has had eight comedians play me over the years and i said on saturday night live. Eight. And who the hell says i am not a real job creator . Look, lauren has had even more comedians and actors joke about me, like the funny guy on Weekend Update. Michael shay. He is hilarious. Scarlett johansson, you did such an incredible job in your State Of The Union rebuttal, st you should be doing Weekend Update. Clearly, you are the funny one in the family. Look, folks, on a serious note, colin and i have another thing in common. We both find strength and family. Gt i got to spend time with his family yesterday in the oval office. s. Was a High Schools Teacher in Staten Island and his mom was an incredible woman of firefighters to achieve medical officer in new york city on 911. As a doctor, she rushed to ground zero, risking her own life, treating and saving fellow first responders. Rushing into danger for others is my definition of patriotism and heroism. And so is what all of you do, when you report truth overlies. That is why i want to close the night with my genuine thanks to the prefree press. There are some who call you the enemy of the people. That is wrong and it is dangerous. You literally risk your lives doing your job. You do. Covering everything from natural disasters, to pandemics, to wars and so much more. Some of your colleagues have given their lives. Many have suffered previous injuries. Others have lost their freedom, journalism is clearly not a crime, not here, not there, not anywhere in the world. And putin should release evan immediately. We are doing everything we can. We are doing everything we can to let our journalists, fellow journalists, americans, like paulli will, who wrongfully detained all Around The World. And i give you my word, as a biden, we will not give up until we get them home, all of it. All. And the third anniversary of january 6, i went to valley forge and i said the most urgent question of our time is whether democracy is still is still the sacred cause of america. That is the question the American People must answer a this year. And you, the free press play a Critical Role in making sure the American People have what they need to make an informed decision. A defeated former president hase made no secret of his attack on our democracy. He said he wants to be a dictator on day one. And so much more. He tells supporters, he is he their revenge and retribution, when in gods name have you ever heard another president Say Something like that . And he promised a bloodbath, an when he loses again. We have to take this seriously. Eight years ago you could have written it off as just trump talk, but no longer. Not after january 6th. I am sincerely not asking you to take sides. I am asking you to rise up to the seriousness of the moment. Move past the worst numbers and the gotcha moments, the distractions, the sideshows. That have come to dominate and sensationalize our politics. Focus on what is actually at stake. I think in your hearts you know what is at stake. Stakes couldnt be higher. Every single one of us has a reason to play a serious role ol to play. Making sure democracy indoors, American Democracy. I know my role, but with all due respect, so to you. The age of disinformation, credible information, who people can trust is more important than ever, and that po makes you from the bottom of my heart this makes you more important than ever, so, tonight i would like to make a toast. To a free press. To an informed citizenry, to an america, where freedom and chrissy endure. God bless america. Now, i am going to turn over to kelly and then you will hear from a real comedian. I think i know what i am in for. You know, colin jost has taken him with me before with his own jokes. Like saying, after winning thet South Carolina primary, biden barely edged out his closest c rival, time. Colin, when i win, im going to have a whole hell of a lot of time, and i will be watching. Back to you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you mr. President , thank you so very much for being here and for your words and support of journalists. And now we turn to colin jost, our headline entertainer. Colin not only brings the excitement of his own charisma and talents, but his guests are strictly a list. In fact, i have been watching this evening, as many of you have been trying to get a selfie and hoping to get very close to a special woman, who is a big, big star in hell ones life. His mother, dr. Calorie kelly. And i know scarlet agrees that hell ones mother is a star in her own right. As the president indicated, dr. Kelly spent nearly 4 decades with the new York City Fire department. She became the first woman named the fdnys chief medical officer, and her Service Included 9 11, as the president indicated, where she led triage efforts. So, dr. Kelly, we thank you for your good work. And as his mother, you know yes, dr. Kelly and mr. Joust. As you know, colin shares a lot in common with many of us here tonight. We are all fans of scarlett johansson. So, for a moment i am going to take you back to when colin himself was a reporter for the esteemed publication at regis high school. The owl. A young colin jost scooped 10 ways not to start a english paper. An indepth reporting, on faculty summer plans. Then and now, colin jost is at the core, a talented writer, that is why i wanted him here tonight. And he is now the longest serving anchor of Weekend Update on saturday night live. Are you ready . Are you ready . It is my thrilled to welcome colin jost. Thank you everyone, hello. That was hardhitting Journalism You Saw in the owl. I didnt know you are going to show off all of those from high school. Yeah, it is not really fair. You cant do it for President Biden, because the technology wasnt invented when he was in high school. Its not really fair. Good evening, everyone. I am colin jost, and i will be delivering the republican response. All be honest with you, i dont have a lot of time, i need to get back to new york, because i am juror number five on a big trial. Trumps lawyer took one look at me and hes like, he has got to be on our side. Thank you, kelly, for that very kind introduction, mr. President , dr. Biden, Vice President harris, doug. Doug, as you can tell from all of the comments about my wife, i am also used to being the second gentleman. And i am honored to be here, hosting what is according to swing state polls, the final white house Correspondents Dinner. I hope that tonight will be a night to remember. For most of us. I was excited to be up here on stage, with President Biden tonight. Mostly to see if i could figure out where obama was pulling the strings from. I have to i have to admit, it is not easy following President Biden. I mean it is not always easy following what he is saying, like but before i begin tonight, can we just acknowledge how refreshing it is to see a president of the United States at an event, that doesnt begin with a bale of saying, all rise. And i would like to point out, it is after 10 00 p. M. , sleepy joe is still awake. While donald trump has spent the past week falling asleep in court every morning. Though, fox news said he was just being antiwoke. We are all here tonight at nerd prom. Well, matt gates is at regular prom but i actually thought i saw matt gates here tonight, but it was actually my own reflection in a spoon. Like many of you here tonight, i pretend to do news on tv. My Weekend Update, coanchor, michael che was going to join me here tonight, but in solidarity with President Biden i decided to lose all of black support. Che told me to say that, and i am just now realizing i was set up. I have done Weekend Update for a while now, but most people dont know that i started out doing the actual news. My first job out of college was as a reporter for the Staten Island advance newspaper. They do not have a table here tonight. But they asked me to pass along this message to the other prince journalists in the room. You think you are better than me . I want to point out that when i worked at the daily advanced, we had a circulation of 100,000. The Washington Post would kill for that is a former aspiring journalist , i want to genuinely congratulate all of the Award Winners here tonight. Congratulations. The Correspondence Association provides scholarships to promising young Journalism Students who may one day be set off to geopolitical hotspots, like columbia university. Tonight, this event is being televised, live on cspan. And if you are at home watching cspan on a saturday night, i hope they find your body soon. Before your cats get to it. There are so many incredible News Organizations here tonight. Also, if you credible ones. Also the Washington Post is here, the Washington Post. They were the ones taking your coats at the door. Please be sure to tip. Fox news is here tonight. Its the end of an era, Rupert Murdoch stepped down at fox news, which is strange, i didnt think there was a step down from fox news. Trump media is here, trump media , not at a table, just screaming loudly in the corner to know one. Word all is here tonight. Sorry, i meant the New York Times. I forgot they do stuff in addition to puzzles. I have to say, it is not a great sign, with the only thing keeping a print Media Company alive are Games People Play on their phones. Too chilling for you guys . Room just froze faster than Mitch Mcconnell. And i have to say, apologies to the times, but as a start and i wonder, i still get all of my news from the New York Post. Thank you. The only paper, where the front page always has the same 200 coin font, whether the headline is World War Iii to start tomorrow, or central park i will dead in building collision. The New York Post is like having the New York Times summarize for you, by a crackhead. The times will say, a border deal continues to evade congress, and the post is like, these mexicans are taking my stuff there are so many incredible individuals here, tonight. Laura trump is here tonight. Okay, we got one woo. She recently released a cover of the saw, i wont back down. Upon hearing it, tom petty died again. I cant believe i am saying this to a member of the trump family, but maybe stick to politics . Senator, Bernie Sanders is here. Because he is not the type to pass up a free, hot meal. And in general, there are so many hardworking, influential senators and Congress People here tonight. And i just want to say, on behalf of everyone i know, stop emailing us. Stop it. We get it. Democracy is on the line. And your plan to save it is to flood our inboxes like you are creating barrel. It is also wonderful to be back in washington. I love being in washington. The last time i was in dc, i left my cocaine at the white house. Luckily, the president was able to put it to good use for his State Of The Union. Im kidding, of course, the president doesnt call it cocaine, he calls it highspeed rail. By the way, can you blame the guy for returning to cocaine . He must be exhausted, orchestrating four separate trials against his rival, rigging the super bowl, and gearing up to steal a second election. Wow. Biden left. I love, by the way, that trumps two attacks on President Biden are that he is a senile old man and a criminal mastermind. And like, i think you have got to pick one. Personally, i dont know any criminal mastermind who bike to get ice cream. Also, it is not like trump himself is young and sharp. Im not saying both candidates are old, but you know jimmy carter is out there thinking, i could maybe win this thing. He is only 99. There is an election. There is an election six extremely long months from now. So, let me see if i can summarize where this race stands at this moment. The republican candidate for president owes half 1 billion in fines for bank fraud, and is currently spending his days parting himself awake, during a porn star hush money trial, and the races tied . The rice race is tied. Nothing makes sense anymore. The candidate, who is a famous new york city playboy took abortion right away, and the guy who is trying to give you your abortionrights back is an 80yearold catholic. How does that make sense . By the way, President Biden, isnt it crazy that he is only our second catholic resident . What is even crazier is in just a few short months we will have our third in rfk junior. Im kidding, like his vaccine card says, he doesnt have his shot. Everything illustrated now. By a lot of measures, President Biden is having his second term. Like the economy, the vibes are bad, but the numbers sata strong. The economy is kind of like you on the steps of Air Force One. It feels like it is stumbling, but there is somehow upward progress. I do think that you can do more on the economy, sir. I really do. For example, have you considered eliminating the national debt, by Shorting Trump Stock . People keep asking if our lives are better than they were four years ago. Of course they are. Four years ago we didnt have Online Sports gambling. What more do you need . By the way, that is probably what is keeping the economy afloat. Online gambling and taylor swift. Without those we would be in a recession right now. The problem is people are always going to compare your first term to obamas, but i think there are actually a lot of positive similarities. You both made big strides in healthcare, obama got us out of a recession, you got us out of a pandemic. Obama got bin laden, you got oj. And by the way, now that oj is dead, who is the new front runner for trumps vp . Is it duty . By the way, i bet if trump did select diddys his running mate, this race would still be tied. I think even some democrats say that they are underwhelmed, but i think they are just not living in reality. Manage your expectations, people. It is like tonight. Sure, we all wish we were at the waldorf right now, but we are at the Washington Hilton. And we have to make the best of it. Just be happy you are not at the airport hilton. Journalistss, these are challenging times, and we need the people in this room to help guide us through it. Your jobs are not easy, and doesnt help that we are living at the end of traditional media. The gatekeepers are gone. Did you know that 90 of people now get their news, exclusively from social media . And that must be true, because i saw it in a random guys tiktok. He was recording the video, while driving a toyota corolla, but he seems to know his stuff. Isnt it crazy, by the way, that tiktok could be outlawed in the u. S. By the end of this year . That is a real shame, because we are going to need tiktok to document who is storming the capitol next january 6th. Things are not bad for everyone though. This may be the worst time in history to be a prince journalist. It is the best time in history to be a courtroom sketch artist. My god, the most famous man on earth is on trial, and there is no cameras allowed. Just the artist, their pastels, and their desire to make trump look as bad as possible. Every sketch of trump looks like the gritch had sex with the lorax. In closing, i would really like to take a moment to recognize all of the prince journalist in this room. Your words speak truth to power. Your words bring light to the darkness, and most importantly, your words train the ai programs that will soon replace you. And finally, i wanted to thank my family and i wanted to thank my friends for being here tonight to support me, i want to thank my wife for enduring lots of jokes, and for agreeing to individually meet everyone in this room, right after the ceremony. That is that is really special, honey, thank you. Dont be shy, come right up. She hates privacy. And with my with my family in mind, i wanted to share one last thing with you before i go and i want to share one last thing with you, mr. President , before i go. I lost my grandfather this year, as you alluded to firefighter, william kelly. He is the rub that are reason that our sons middle name is william. He helped raise me, growing up, and i would not be here today without him. My grandpa was a firefighter on Staten Island for 40 years to make extra money for his family he was a Substitute Teacher and he painted houses. And since it is Staten Island i should point out, it is not like the scorsese irish man, painting houses. He was not a mafia hit man, he actually painted houses. The fbi is here, i dont want to start a whole thing. My grandfather was another rare irishman who didnt drink. Because he lost his father and his brother to alcoholism. And i swear, mr. President , this is not an age comparison, iran remind me of him. Some of your best qualities remind me of his. And i will say, he was 95 and he was still great at stairs. I think it is because he didnt try to run up then. But the reason that i bring up my grandfather and i dont think you realize mr. President Staten Island firefighters are not normally are demographic. Staten island for about 70 for trump in the last election in the last 30 was for giuliani. But Staten Island also cited with the british during the revolutionary war. So, we are not always on the right side of history. You remember. But my grandfather, a Staten Island firefighter, voted for you, mr. President. He voted for you in the last election that he ever voted in. I mean, i am sure someone else will vote twice in this election using his name, but that is just how the democratic machine works. He voted for you, and the reason that he voted for you is because you are a decent man. My grandpa voted for decency, and decency is why we are all here tonight. Decency is how we are able to be here tonight. Decency is how we are able to make jokes about each other and one of us doesnt go to prison after. We go to the newsmax after party. And when you look at the levels of freedom throughout history, and even Around The World today, this is the exception. This freedom is incredibly rare. And the journalists in this room help protect that freedom, and we cannot ever take that for granted. So, mr. President , i thank you for your decent the on behalf of my grandfather. And i think all of you almost all of you for your decency as well. I am very honored and grateful that you invited me here tonight. Thank you and good night. Nigh you were listening to colin jost there. That was preceded, of course, by President Joe Biden quite the evening and ending on a very important and powerful note. When that we have been talking about throughout the course of this evening. But i kind of just want to go around quickly and get your impressions of what you thought about the comedy, about the substance of the politics of what we heard from both the president and colin. The president and avoid the politics, he leaned in in a way that i think a lot of people probably didnt expect. He was very forceful, but he also reminded people what is at ache. They think he has tried to do that throughout this president ial election cycle, but tonight, he left at himself, he cracked some jokes, he called out some things, but most importantly, he laid the groundwork for what lies ahead and i think he reminded people of why our democracy is so important to fight. This line stood out to me, rick, with the president kind of crystallized everything that is going on in this country. He said it in a form of the a question, is democracy the sacred cause of america . And that is going to be the decision that is on the ballot, come november, and he kind of threw it back at the press, saying, dont take sides, but you have an Important Role to play in informing citizens of this decision. I think that is right, it is that sort of trouble about dont just talk about the horse race, talk about the stakes. Right. And he laid the stakes out very clearly tonight, and i think you are exactly right, he was not afraid to go and lean in a little bit, and throw a couple punches and again, just like last year, just like he does at the State Of The Union, he steps up for these big events, he proves that he is sharp and gets it, and this is and some guy whos tottering along, he understands how big this fight is, he understands how big they are importance of this calling is. And i think he did very well tonight. The Call To Action was impressive, to your point, he said you have got to go beyond the gotcha moment, you have got to go beyond the horse racing in full numbers, because this is a serious moment, and it has to be one in which everyone plays their part ins up to the occasion. Exactly. Jason what did you give the evening . I thought colin did a great job. Biden had some good lines too and i really like that, at the end, colin he had this opportunity, and he took it, and made it told a very personal story. About his grandmother and took the moment, you know, i think as a comedian you go out there, you are like this is the could be the biggest moment of your career, i am talking to the president of United States, i am going to speak from the heart, and i really love that. Yeah, he did with grace, again, with the very Important Message of the decency. We kind of sometimes lose sight of how important decency is. We start the coverage tonight by kind of talking about the importance of housing are singularly unique this event is in western democracies Around The World. I dont see events like this around the country or Around The World, certainly not in any nondemocratic country in the world, but he kind of brought it back home to, say, to those in attendance, the journalist, the media executives, politicians, this is a rare moment and we should take note of that. Yeah. And also the jokes were funny. Right. What stood out to you . You know, i was trying to think of it, the fox news joke was great, and bidens fox news joke was good too and just had the camera right on peter ducey and laura trump. I think the line of the night was the trump you should stick to politics. Right . I never thought i would tell a trump family member, but stick to politics. I thought one of the funnier moments was when he kind of expressed the fact that the republican nominee is a guy, who parts in courts to stay awake on trial for paying hush money to a porn star and the race is a tie. That stood out to me. He will do it he was trying to envision himself. I i have a comedy partner. Unbelievable. Yeah. I work alone anyways. Just be nice. Heres the thing. I think that that stood out to me, on a substantive thing, like look at the guy it reminds me of the is an old joke from a long time ago, where john, what was it, micrococcus, it was against george bush, and he says, can you believe in losing to the sky . And that made him so overthe top in his inability to communicate, but here, to me, the one thing was the serious thing, even though i come from a comedy background, both, the one thing that both biden and colin just talked about was the stakes. And what is going on, and freedom command dont take this for granted. And i think President Biden appealing to the media, like, you have a role in all of this, protecting our democracy and is it sacred to you or not . I have never seen that before and he is talking to them right there in the room, and so, yeah, there is the part we are losing, that he elevated and i think colin. The funny line also was when President Biden said he was running against a sixyearold. That was at the very beginning, but again, i think he took the age issue, spun it and played it to his advantage, like a smart politician would. He is not shying away from it, he acknowledges it, but also acknowledges that, with that, comes this tremendous visit with his ability to be able to kind of distance themselves from the other senile guy he is running against. Exactly, i think he show that he was the adult in the room, that age is not something that is hurting him that it is actually one of his assets, because of the experience that he has, but also he, again, leaned in on a collective responsibility, and i think calling out the press, helping them to understand what their role is in this day and age and in this time, where democracy is at stake. I think some people that believe it was hyperbole. It is not good we are watching it every single day, and i think that he is really putting every thing out there to fight for it. I want to just close out the show with acknowledging something that you and i and all of us were waiting to see. The number of journalist that have been killed. Have been kil they are in detention legally in russia, Evan Gershkovich being held in russia. The number killed in gaza and those held Around The World. It was an Important Message. How sacred this night is to the press send a healthy democracy. I cant thank you enough. Thank you for making time for th us. Looking for any opportunity s if you have one, please, if you have any opportunities for do you know, get in touch with him. I will see you again tonight at 7 00 p. M. Eastern. Have a great anight, everyone. K and a gun to my head. I shoved my purse into his chest. And i said, jesus, save me. There was a man with his t arm around my neck and a gun to my head. I showed my purse into his chest and i said jesus, save me