Will Donald Trump attend this high-profile dinner? Here’s why host says ‘no one wants that’

Comedian Amber Ruffin, who is set to host this year’s White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, has made it clear that she would prefer former President Donald Trump to remain absent from the high-profile event, as he did throughout his first term.

During an appearance on CNN’s "The Lead with Jake Tapper", Ruffin expressed skepticism over Trump's potential attendance and remarked that "no one wants that”, as quoted in a report by Fox News.

Amber Ruffin Unenthusiastic About Trump’s Presence

Speaking to CNN host Jake Tapper on Wednesday, Ruffin was asked if she would be interested in seeing Trump at the upcoming White House Correspondents' Dinner in April.


Without hesitation, she responded, “No! No one wants that.”

Although Trump has not confirmed whether he will attend, Ruffin suggested that he was missing out on "one of the cool things about being the President of the United States."

However, she added that she doubted anyone was "looking forward to being in the same room as him”, as per the Fox News report.

Trump’s History With the Correspondents’ Dinner

Trump famously skipped the annual event throughout his presidency, breaking with a long-standing tradition where sitting presidents attend and often deliver lighthearted remarks.

His absence from the event has roots in the 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner, when late-night host Seth Meyers—Ruffin’s boss at "Late Night with Seth Meyers"—roasted Trump, who was in attendance.

At the time, Trump had been pushing the false conspiracy theory about then-President Barack Obama’s birthplace.

Meyers mocked Trump, saying, “Donald Trump has been saying that he will run for president as a Republican, which is surprising because I just assumed he was running as a joke.”

That moment, some believe, played a role in motivating Trump to officially launch his presidential campaign in 2015.

Ruffin Jokes About Trump’s Political Career

Reflecting on the 2011 dinner, Tapper noted how some political analysts credit Meyers’ jokes as a catalyst for Trump’s presidential ambitions.

Ruffin, in a lighthearted manner, joked, “[Meyers] got us into this mess. It is his fault. If you’re looking for somebody to blame, blame my boss.”

She added, “He did what he had to do. It cannot be your job to razz people, and then this man comes along and is like, ‘I’m going to be president.’ You have to laugh. Ultimately, the joke’s on us, isn’t it?”

Biden Embraced the Tradition

Unlike Trump, President Joe Biden attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner every year since taking office, making appearances in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

The event, which brings together politicians, journalists, and celebrities, serves as both a celebration of the First Amendment and an opportunity for the president to engage in self-deprecating humor.

FAQs

Who attends the White House correspondents' dinner?

The White House Correspondents' Association's annual dinner, established in 1921, has become a longstanding tradition in Washington, D.C., typically attended by the president and vice president.

Who is the head of the White House press corps?

On January 20, 2025, Karoline Leavitt became the 36th White House press secretary.