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White House Correspondents’ Dinner to Proceed Without Scheduled Comedian
The annual White House correspondents’ dinner has announced the cancellation of its featured comedy act amid rising tensions with the Trump administration. Comedian Amber Ruffin was slated to headline the event, but the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) made the decision on Saturday to withdraw her performance.
In a communication to its members, the WHCA clarified that the focus of the dinner is to celebrate the contributions of White House journalists and is not intended to amplify political divisions. This statement comes following criticism from the White House regarding Ruffin’s selection, largely due to her outspoken criticisms of President Donald Trump.
Taylor Budowich, the deputy chief of staff at the White House, expressed his dissatisfaction with the WHCA’s choice to cancel Ruffin’s appearance, labeling it as a “cop out.” Budowich took to social media to voice his concerns, calling the association’s decision a “pathetic” response to accountability pressures and described Ruffin as “hate-filled.”
Ruffin, recognized for her work on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, has gained notoriety for her humor that critiques the Trump administration. In recent segments, she has highlighted various actions by the president, including his directive to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
The relationship between the WHCA and the Trump administration has been strained in recent months, compounded by issues such as restrictions on the Associated Press’s coverage of specific events and the administration’s efforts to exert greater control over the White House press pool, a group of journalists who report on presidential activities.
As the event approaches, it remains uncertain whether President Trump will make an appearance at this year’s dinner, which has historically featured a range of entertainers, including notable figures like Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brien, and Jay Leno.
Source
www.bbc.com