President Joe Biden is slated to deliver remarks at the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner on Saturday before a crowd of journalists, celebrities and politicians as protesters have vowed to gather outside the event.
The Context
Outside the dinner site, protesters have pledged to rally against Israel continuing its war in Gaza. The conflict began after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that left 1,200 people dead and saw over 200 more taken hostage.
In the nearly seven months of war, the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 34,000, with more than 76,000 wounded, according to the Associated Press, per the Gaza Health Ministry. While the Hamas-run ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in their count, it says at least two-thirds have been children and women.
The staggering number of Palestinian deaths has ignited international criticism that has led to protests across the globe. The death toll and distressing images of children dead in the rubble of bombed buildings resulted in mounting calls for a ceasefire and increased pressure on Biden to take a tougher line on Israel, a longtime U.S. ally.
What We Know
Comedian Colin Jost, known for his role on Saturday Night Live, is expected to deliver humorous jabs at the president and other politicians during the annual event at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C.
The WHCA hosts the black-tie event that usually features the sitting president and popular comedians mocking politicians and current events. In previous years, Biden has used the dinner to mock his political rivals, notably former President Donald Trump.
The dinner will air online on C-SPAN's website beginning at 8 p.m. EST and can also be viewed on C-SPAN's YouTube channel as well C-SPAN's TV channel.
Newsweek reached out via email on Saturday to representatives for the White House for comment.
Views
More than two dozen journalists in Gaza recently wrote a letter published by Medium that urged members of the press corps to boycott the historic event.
"As Palestinian journalists, we urgently appeal to you, our colleagues globally, with a demand for immediate and unwavering action against the Biden administration's ongoing complicity in the systematic slaughter and persecution of journalists in Gaza," the letter states. "We insist you publicly boycott the upcoming White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 27 as an act of solidarity with us — your fellow journalists — as well as with the millions of Palestinians currently being starved in Gaza due to the Biden administration's continued political, financial, and military backing of Israel and cut-off of funding for live-saving humanitarian aid."
Photos captured before the event began showed dozens of protesters trying to block guests outside of the venue.
In an interview with Sirius XM radio host Howard Stern on Friday, Biden said he planned to emphasize the importance of a free press during his WHCA dinner speech.
The president also told Stern that the media is not hard enough on Trump, the presumed 2024 GOP presidential nominee, saying: "I think some of them are worried about attacking him, worried about taking him on."
What's Next?
The WHCA dinner begins at 8 p.m. Biden is expected to deliver remarks around 10 p.m. and will be aired online.
Update 4/27/24, 6:18 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and background.
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