President Biden took to the stage Saturday at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner and joked about his retirement.
Biden addressed a crowd of about 3,000 journalists, celebrities and Washington officials at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., as anti-Israel demonstrators gathered outside.
With Biden’s approval ratings at historic lows ahead of the November election, the annual black-tie event gives him a major platform to address voters and display his sense of humor.
Biden, 81, downplayed the fact that voters were concerned about his age.
“Age matters. I’m a grown man fighting a 6-year-old,” the president quipped about his opponent, former President Donald Trump.
“I feel great, I really feel great,” he assured the crowd.
He also attacked himself, saying his wife said she was nervous to give a speech at a dinner party last year.
“Don’t worry, it’s just like riding a bike. She said, ‘That’s what I’m worried about.'” I joked about it.
Biden also took a swipe at Trump, making fun of Trump’s bizarre and rambling speech in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in which he recalled a Civil War battle.
“Trump’s speech was so embarrassing that the statue of Robert E. Lee has once again capitulated,” Biden said.
He teased that President Trump does not have the support of former Vice President Mike Pence, saying, “The vice president actually supports me.”
Biden also mocked the former president’s ongoing hush money trial with Stormy Daniels in Manhattan, saying, “Donald has had a rough few days. You could call it stormy weather.” .
After Biden’s 10-minute speech, Saturday Night Live Weekend Update co-host Colin Jost slammed the president, politicians and the media.
Ahead of Saturday’s event, Biden re-election campaign co-chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg said he held daily strategy sessions this week and worked with the campaign team to fine-tune Biden’s comedy set, drafted by speechwriter Vinay Reddy. It is being CNN reported.
Over several hours, including a four-hour session Friday night, Biden’s aides worked with the president to fine-tune his speech and tone, the paper said.
One of the most pressing issues for the incumbent president heading into the election is the Israeli war in Gaza, which has cost him key support among left-wing Democrats and jeopardized his chances for re-election.
Ahead of Saturday’s dinner, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters swarmed outside the Washington DC Hilton, harassing well-dressed guests as they entered the event.
A huge Palestinian flag was displayed on the side of the hotel. video program. Other protesters poured onto the red carpet as celebrities took photos from behind.
Palestinian supporters have repeatedly called Biden “Massacre Joe” for his continued support of Israel’s war, which has killed about 34,000 Gazans. He has recently come under fire for signing a $95 billion foreign aid package this week, including $26 billion for Israel.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner annually raises funds for scholarships for students who want to pursue a career in journalism.
At a dinner last year, Biden promised to release Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested on spying charges in Moscow last March.
This week, a full year later, a Moscow court rejected the journalist’s bid to be released from pretrial detention. The 32-year-old journalist will now be detained until at least June 30th.
As Gershkovic’s parents sat in the audience, Biden reiterated his vow to bring Gershkovic home.
“We are doing everything in our power to bring our fellow journalists home,” he said.
