Photo: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal
Amber Ruffin is no longer hosting the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 26. Did another comedian more in line with this administration replace her for the gig? Matt Rife? Tony Hinchcliffe? In a surprising turn of events, there won’t be a comedic act this year at all; it’s like Footloose but for comedy. “The WHCA board has unanimously decided we are no longer featuring a comedic performance this year,” WHCA President Eugene Daniels explained in a statement to members on March 29. “At this consequential moment for journalism, I want to ensure the focus is not on the politics of division but entirely on awarding our colleagues for their outstanding work and providing scholarship and mentorship to the next generation of journalists.” Vulture has reached out to Ruffin’s team for comment. The WHCD last went without a comedian in 2019, after Michelle Wolf’s controversial set in 2018.
Politico reports that the decision to remove Ruffin came after White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich criticized the WHCA for hiring Ruffin, as she has been critical of President Trump. Alongside a clip of Ruffin calling the political climate “bonkers”, Budowich wrote, “This year’s WHCA dinner will be hosted by a 2nd rate comedian who is previewing the event by calling this administration ‘murderers’ who want to ‘feel like human beings, but they shouldn’t get to feel that way, because you’re not.’” Trump is expected to not attend the event; in his past administration, he also did not attend any of the dinners hosted.
It feels like just yesterday that WHCA was praising Ruffin’s acceptance as this year’s host, as she was reportedly hired as a unanimous decision. On the initial host announcement on February 4, Daniels said: “When I began to think about what entertainer would be a perfect fit for the dinner this year, Amber was immediately at the top of my list.” Maybe Seth Meyers can give her a new segment: Jokes Amber Can Tell on TV But Not At the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
