‘Obama out’: The best, worst and most awkward moments from the 2016 White House Correspondents’ Dinner
President Obama delivered what will be his final White House Correspondents’ Association dinner speech as commander in chief on Saturday night, as celebrities, politicians, Beltway insiders and the White House press corps were toasted and roasted at the annual black-tie gala. And it seemed no one — inside or outside the Washington Hilton — was off-limits.
Below, a roundup of some of the best moments from the so-called “nerd prom” — including plenty of presidential zingers.
Obama skewers Hillary
Hillary Clinton was Obama’s first target, with the president poking fun at a controversial skit his former secretary of state recently participated in with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“I do apologize — I know I was a little late tonight,” the president said. “I was running on C.P.T., which stands for ‘jokes that white people should not make.’”
Obama then turned his attention to the Democratic frontrunner’s paid speeches.
"If this material goes well, I’ll use it at Goldman Sachs next year,” he said. “Earn me some serious Tubmans.”
And, later, Clinton’s difficulty with younger voters.
“I’ve said how much I admire Hillary’s toughness, her smarts, her policy chops, her experience,” Obama said. “You’ve got to admit it, though, Hillary trying to appeal to young voters is a little bit like your relative just signed up for Facebook. 'Dear America, did you get my poke?’ 'Is it appearing on your wall?’ 'I’m not sure I am using this right. Love, Aunt Hillary.’”
Barack burns Bernie
Obama made several jokes about Bernie Sanders, who was in attendance Saturday.
“We’ve got the bright new face of the Democratic Party here tonight — Mr. Bernie Sanders,” the president said. “Bernie, you look like a million bucks. Or to put it in terms you’ll understand, you look like 37,000 donations of $27 each.
"A lot of folks have been surprised by the Bernie phenomenon, especially his appeal to young people,” Obama continued. “But not me. I get it. Just recently, a young person came up to me and said she was sick of politicians standing in the way of her dreams. As if we were actually going to let Malia go to Burning Man.”
Obama added: “I am hurt, though, Bernie, that you’ve distanced yourself a little from me. I mean, that’s just not something that you do to your comrade.”
Slideshow: The 2016 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, red carpet and parties >>>
The president used one of Sanders’ adopted campaign slogans to zing Clinton once more.
“Bernie’s slogan has helped his campaign catch fire among young people,” Obama said. “'Feel the Bern’ — it’s a good slogan. Hillary’s slogan has not had the same effect.”
A graphic displayed on the screen showed Hillary’s logo pushing a boulder up the side of a mountain next to the phrase “Trudge Up the Hill.”
POTUS zings the GOP
“Chairman Reince Priebus is here as well,” Obama said. “Glad to see that you feel that you’ve earned a night off. Congratulations on all your success. The Republican Party, the nomination process — it’s all going great. Keep it up.”
There was, however, some confusion among Republicans over the WHCD invitations, the president said.
“Guests were asked to check whether they wanted steak or fish, but instead, a whole bunch of you wrote in Paul Ryan,” Obama said. “That’s not an option, people. Steak or fish. You may not like steak or fish, but that’s your choice.”
Obama on Trump …
Halfway through his speech, the president skewered the elephant not in the room: Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, who intentionally skipped this year’s White House Correspondents’ dinner.
“I am a little hurt that he’s not here tonight. And it is surprising. You’ve got a room full of reporters, celebrities, cameras, and he says no? Is this dinner too tacky for the Donald? What could he possibly be doing instead? Is he at home, eating a Trump steak, tweeting out insults to Angela Merkel? What’s he doing?
"There’s one area where Donald’s experience could be invaluable,” Obama admitted. “And that’s closing Guantánamo — because Trump knows a thing or two about running waterfront properties into the ground.”
… and the media as an enabler of Trump’s candidacy
“I think we can all agree that from the start, he’s gotten the appropriate amount of coverage, befitting the seriousness of his candidacy,” Obama said. “I hope you all are proud of yourselves. The guy wanted to give his hotel business a boost, and now we’re praying that Cleveland makes it through July.”
Larry Wilmore blasts cable news
The Comedy Central comedian and host of Saturday’s dinner berated CNN, MSNBC and Fox News.
"Speaking of drones, how is Wolf Blitzer still on television?” Wilmore asked. “Ask a follow-up question. Hey, Wolf. I’m ready to project tonight’s winner: anyone that isn’t watching 'The Situation Room.’
"I’ve been watching CNN a long time,” he continued. “Yep. Used to watch it back when it was a news network. … I don’t know about you guys, but I can’t get enough of that CNN countdown clock. Now we can see exactly when they hit zero in the ratings.”
“Not to throw any shade, but Fox News is the highest-rated cable news channel among viewers who have no idea what 'shade’ means,” Wilmore said.
Comedy Central star Larry Wilmore roasts the government and the media. (Photo: Yuri Gripas/Reuters)
And MSNBC, Wilmore said, now stands for “Missing a Significant Number of Black Correspondents.”
“Am I wrong? They like fired Melissa Harris-Perry, they canceled Joy Reid, they booted Touré,” Wilmore explained. I heard they put Chris Hayes on probation because they thought he was related to Isaac Hayes. That’s wrong. MSNBC got rid of so many black people I thought Boko Haram was running that network.”
“Some of America’s finest black journalists are here tonight,” Wilmore said. “Don Lemon’s here too. Hey, Don, how’s it going? Alleged journalist Don Lemon, everybody.” (Lemon gave Wilmore the finger, which was shown live on television.
Wilmore even skewered C-SPAN.
“C-SPAN, of course, is carrying tonight’s dinner live, which is ironic because most of their viewers aren’t,” Wilmore said. It’s true, guys. C-SPAN is the No. 1 network among people who died watching TV and no one’s found them yet. No, but it is good to be on C-SPAN. Glad I’m not on your rival network, ‘No input, HDMI1.’”
Obama laughs during the White House Correspondents’ dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. (Photo: Yuri Gripas/Reuters)
‘You look terrible, Mr. President’
“The office has taken its toll on you,” Wilmore said. “I mean look at you! Your hair is so white, it tried to punch me at a Trump rally. The president’s hair is so white it keeps saying, 'All lives matter.’
"You came in here looking like Denzel. Now, you going out looking like Grady from 'Sanford and Son,’” Wilmore said. “I know it’s a dated reference, but you’re dated, Mr. President.”
Obama skewers his age too
“Eight years ago, I was a young man, full of idealism and vigor, and look at me now,” the president said. “I am gray and grizzled, just counting down the days till my death panel.
“Hillary once questioned whether I’d be ready for a 3 a.m. phone call,” he continued. “Now I’m awake anyway because I’ve got to go to the bathroom. I’m up.”
And his failure to change the tone in Washington
“Standing here, I can’t help but be reflective, a little sentimental,” the president said. “Eight years ago, I said it was time to change the tone of our politics. In hindsight, I clearly should have been more specific.”
President Obama hugs Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, who spent 18 months in an Iranian prison. (Photo: Susan Walsh/AP)
Rezaian honored
There were some serious moments too. President Obama paused to pay tribute to Jason Rezaian, the Washington Post reporter who was freed earlier this year after spending nearly 18 months in an Iranian prison.
“Our free press is why, once again, we honor Jason Rezaian,” Obama said. “Last time this year, we spoke of Jason’s courage as he endured the isolation of an Iranian prison. This year, we see that courage in the flesh, and it’s a living testament to the very idea of a free press and a reminder of the rising level of danger, and political intimidation, and physical threats faced by reporters overseas. And I can make this commitment that as long as I hold this office, my administration will continue to fight for the release of American journalists held against their will — and we will not stop until they see the same freedom as Jason had.”
POTUS predicts Hillary
President Obama offered a thinly veiled prediction on the 2016 presidential race.
“Next year at this time, someone else will be standing here in this very spot,” he said, “and it’s anyone’s guess who she will be.”
Obama’s mic drop
The president ended his WHCD speech with a nod to Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who ended his NBA career with an on-court speech with a similar “mic drop.”
“I just have two more words to say,” he said. “Obama out.”
The president concludes his speech with a final goodbye and a mic drop. (Photo: Yuri Gripas/Reuters)
