On Saturday night, guests at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner are in for a treat with Oz Pearlman, a celebrated mentalist, set to mesmerize the crowd with his mind-reading feats. The previous night, attendees reveled as if they were about to experience a show by Amber Ruffin.
Ruffin, a well-liked comedian, missed her chance to appear at the 2025 WHCD after she upset the White House with comments on a podcast, labeling the Trump administration as “kind of a bunch of murderers.” Her presence would be particularly misplaced at this year’s event, which is anticipated to include remarks from President Trump himself — marking his first appearance at the dinner during either of his terms. As guests navigated various Friday-night gatherings associated with the annual “nerd prom,” they used the occasion to express their concerns.
At an event sponsored by CAA and Vanity Fair, discussions shifted to whether the President might harshly criticize the media outlets purchasing WHCD tables and the potential length of his speech. Speculation arose about whether journalists might leave if his words were too biting, or if he might distribute awards to journalists who had scrutinized him or uncovered unfavorable details about his administration, a practice seen at previous WHCDs.
Those who shared their insights did so anonymously to avoid drawing attention to themselves during an already high-profile weekend.
Notable figures at the event included CNN anchors Jim Sciutto, Elex Michelson, Wolf Blitzer, and Jon Berman; Crooked Media’s Alex Wagner; former CBS News president Susan Zirinsky; ABC News’ Rick Klein; and independent journalist Don Lemon. The event took place at the Belgian Ambassador’s residence.
Meanwhile, at a UTA-hosted gathering in Georgetown, attendees discussed the future of CBS News. The previous Thursday, Paramount hosted a private dinner uniting CBS News executives, Washington staffers, and President Trump, who spoke for an hour, according to the New York Times. The meeting, which attracted protests outside, occurred as Paramount, led by CEO David Ellison, sought regulatory approval for a merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, aiming to form a formidable collection of influential yet traditional media assets. Paramount and CBS News refrained from commenting on the event.
Attendees at the UTA event, held at Osteria Mozza, included “CBS Evening News” anchor Tony Dokoupil; MS NOW’s Katy Tur; ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith; Fox News Channel’s Shannon Bream and Jimmy Failla; NBC News’ Gabe Gutierrez; and CNN’s Jake Tapper.
Amidst celebrations of journalism, concerns about its future linger. Major TV-news outlets continue to struggle with a growing audience trend toward digital creators and influencers, declining traditional TV ratings, and the looming threat of layoffs as parent companies strive to adapt to the streaming era.
Some events took a less conventional approach. Grindr, the LGBTQ+ dating app, eager to influence policy, held its own WHCD event, though CEO George Arison kept its location and guest list under wraps. He remarked, “Grindr is good at convening people,” and emphasized that despite any comments from President Trump, the U.S. offers freedoms not always found elsewhere.
“I was born in the Soviet Union. I came to America when I was 14, on my own,” Arison shared. “I’ve lived in a country where you could not say what you wanted, and one of the things that makes America awesome is that you can say whatever you want and the government can’t do anything about that.”
For journalists and media executives, the WHCD remains a prime opportunity to pitch ideas. There’s always a chance to promote scoops, highlight projects, and enhance reputations. CSPAN’s Sam Feist was seen circling the CAA party, showcasing his network with two pins on his lapel. A diverse array of top news executives was spotted throughout the night, including Debra OConnell of Disney Entertainment Television, Mark Lazarus of Versant Media, Cesar Conde of NBCUniversal’s news operations, Rebecca Blumenstein of NBC News, Rebecca Kutler of MS NOW, Almin Karamehmedovic of ABC News, Amy Entelis of CNN, Tom Cibrowski of CBS News, Bari Weiss of CBS News, and KC Sullivan of CNBC.
These executives recognize that regardless of President Trump’s remarks, they are on the cusp of what is typically a vigorous period for the news industry. An upcoming midterm election promises increased advertising revenue and a wider audience, potentially heightening stakes in Washington and driving greater ambitions.
So, enjoy another drink, everyone. While President Trump may criticize or even lambast, regardless of his words, and despite the industry’s concerns, there will always be more news to cover.
