Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, poked fun at journalists gathered for the Washington Press Club Foundation’s 75th annual congressional dinner Wednesday.
“I was a little nervous trying to prepare for this, because they said, ‘Yeah, come make fun of Democrats, it will be fine,’ so I wasn’t sure, should I, like, start ripping on Democrats or should I rip on the press, and then I was like, ‘Eh, they’re kind of the same thing,’” Crenshaw said to laughter during his stand-up routine.
Crenshaw, 35, pointed out that though many of those in attendance didn’t care for President Trump, they should “love him” because of the news content Trump generates. He drew comparisons to John Delaney, a former member of the House from Maryland who is running for the Democratic nomination for president.
“Journalism is cool again. And you have endless content, let’s be honest,” Crenshaw said. “Business is good. You should be thanking him, and God knows, imagine if it was John Delaney in the White House. You got nothing.”
Crenshaw, who served for a decade as a Navy SEAL, was elected during the 2018 midterm elections and became a well-known conservative figure after a “Saturday Night Live” skit joked about his appearance. Crenshaw is missing an eye, an injury he sustained while serving in Afghanistan, and sports an eye patch. The freshman congressman later went on the show himself, accepting comedian Pete Davidson’s apology while making some comedic jabs as well.
Comedy itself became a subject of Crenshaw’s jokes on Wednesday. “Everybody is very sensitive these days as we know. I don’t really get that,” he said.
“It’s so easy to trigger everyone these days, especially if you mention President Donald Trump. I’m triggering some people right now,” he said. “Trip and fall? It’s Trump’s fault. Phone died before you’re finished calling your Uber? Trump,” Crenshaw joked. “You’re dating less, you’re having less sex? Definitely Trump’s fault.”
Trump was also the target of a few of Crenshaw’s jokes, as he imagined what was going on in the president’s head when he called Apple CEO Tim Cook “Tim Apple”
“Tim. Makes a lot of money. More money than me? No. Not possible,” Crenshaw said, channeling Trump. “When you brand, it should be your last name, Tim Apple.”
The event is held by Washington Press Club every year. This year’s speakers were Crenshaw and Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill.
