For 17 consecutive years, HuffPost has participated in the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, the televised annual event in Washington, D.C., where political journalists gather. This year, however, the publication has made a decisive break: it will not attend, stating it cannot stomach the occasion.
Criticism of the Dinner's Tradition
The dinner has long faced scrutiny from critics. When sitting U.S. presidents attended—a standard practice until Donald Trump took office in 2017—journalists found themselves celebrating at a black-tie gala alongside the very individuals they are tasked with holding accountable. This dynamic has raised ethical concerns about the media's role in maintaining independence and integrity.
A Troubling Historical Moment
In 2004, this uneasy arrangement descended into what many consider an appalling spectacle. President George W. Bush made jokes about his administration's failure to locate weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, eliciting laughter from some attendees. This moment highlighted a broader failure: the mainstream media had inadequately scrutinized the rationale for a war that, by one estimate, led to over 650,000 deaths. The image of journalists laughing in tuxedos about such a grave issue remains a stark reminder of the potential conflicts in such gatherings.
HuffPost's Previous Participation
Despite these criticisms, HuffPost continued to attend the dinner for a straightforward reason: at its heart, the event aims to honor journalism and the principles of a free press. The publication saw value in supporting this core mission, even amid the complexities of the occasion.
Drawing a Line in 2020
This year, HuffPost has decided to draw a clear line. The catalyst is President Donald Trump's planned attendance and address at the dinner. While HuffPost emphasizes it has no issue being in the same room as Trump to ask direct questions—as demonstrated by White House correspondent S.V. Dáte, who faces scorn and insults from the administration—the problem lies in welcoming Trump at an event dedicated to press freedom.
Trump's Presidency and Press Freedom
Trump's entire presidency, HuffPost argues, represents an affront to a free press. The administration has taken actions such as unleashing the Federal Communications Commission on critics, punishing publications for exercising First Amendment rights, threatening to jail journalists, and using legal mechanisms as tools of intimidation. These measures, according to HuffPost, undermine the very values the dinner seeks to celebrate.
The Irony of Celebration
The idea of raising a glass to the power of journalism alongside Trump is described as both ridiculous and embarrassing. HuffPost asserts that journalism should focus on holding power accountable, not celebrating it, especially when that power actively challenges press freedoms. As a result, the publication has chosen to opt out of the event entirely.
Call to Action for Supporters
HuffPost concludes by urging readers who believe in journalism's role to hold power accountable—rather than celebrate it—to support independent reporting. The publication encourages joining its membership program to fund hard-hitting questions, regardless of who is in the room, reinforcing its commitment to a free and fearless press.
