About this time of year, when the White House Correspondents’ dinner rolls around, we hear the phrase, “Washington is Hollywood, but for ugly people.” [cue laugh track] It’s funny because it’s true.
But it seems like this year, many of the “ugly people” are going to sit this one out.
Not only have many news outlets, organizations and celebrities said “no thank you” to their traditionally glitzy dinner parties, President Trump and his staff are boycotting the event too.
Since the normal guest of honor will not be in attendance, let’s take a moment to highlight some of the best moments provided by, and at the expense of, past presidents.
George W. Bush sees double with “SNL” lookalike
Laura Bush schools her husband on pronunciation
“George and I are complete opposites. I’m quiet, he’s talkative. I’m introverted, he’s extroverted. I can pronounce nuclear…” (4:20)
Bill Clinton’s mock farewell video, complete with a Helen Thomas cameo (10:38)
Ronald Reagan calls in to make fun of himself from Camp David, where he was recovering from an attempted assassination
Reagan: I know that Cliff Evans must be there somewhere.
Bob Pierpoint: Yes.
Reagan: And, Cliff, let me send my congratulations to you as one new president to another. If you enjoy your office as much as I do mine, you’ll be a very happy and fulfilled man.
Evans: Well, you stay well, Mr. President, and we’ll take care of the pressroom, Pierpoint and I and all of my colleagues. Stay well.
Reagan: OK. If I could give you just one little bit of advice, when somebody tells you to get in a car quick, do it. [Laughter]
Obama walks out to “All I Do Is Win,” taunting opponents
“Rush Limbaugh warned you about this. Second term, baby.”
Obama goes from “Yes We Can” to “Ctrl-Alt-Del”
Obama also “poked fun at himself and his administration’s notoriously faulty rollout of healthcare.gov, which Obama himself called “a well-documented disaster.” At the dinner, he introduced a video clip about the website, which much like healthcare.gov, stalled when he hit play. Obama joked that his slogan had changed from “Yes We Can” to “Ctrl-Alt-Del.”
Obama jokes about approval ratings … and using drugs…
“In my final year, my approval ratings keep going up. The last time I was this high, I was trying to decide on my major.” (9:40)
Obama drops the mic (literally) (33:00)
Beverly Hallberg (@BevHallberg) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog. She is president of District Media Group.
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