WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS' DINNER PREVIEW: POTUS, POLITICS MEDIA & SHOWBIZ CONVERGE FOR D.C.'S PARTY-PALOOZA
This year’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner will likely see an uptick in the celebrity quotient.
The starpower could come as a function of the 2024 election year and a dinner lineup in which Saturday Night Live Weekend Update co-anchor Colin Jost will be the featured entertainer following President Joe Biden’s own standup act. POTUS himself will probably stay mum on the court drama of rival and predecessor Donald Trump unfolding in NYC this week, but expect Jost to get a zinger or two in there
Among the showbiz types expected to attend are Chris Pine, Da’Vine Joy Rudolph, Jon Hamm, Scarlett Johansson and Rachel Brosnahan. Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell from Netflix’s The Diplomat are also planning to attend, after headlining a Deadline event with series creator Debora Cahn at the Irish Ambassador ambassadors’ residence on Saturday morning. Also planning to attend: SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
Tickets to the dinner were way oversold, according to the WHCA, and it’s set off a bit of a scramble to find any extra as the event approaches. The result is a script flip of sorts, with top tier members of Congress hitting up journalists, who usually use them as sources, for a way in to the event.
Having said that, the dinner itself is just one event among many this week, as media outlets, talent agencies, major brands and nonprofits seek to have a big presence before Beltway movers and shakers.
We’ll update as the week goes on, but here’s a rundown of the WHCD events so far:
Thursday, April 25
Bytes & Bylines: The annual Thursday-night kickoff returns at the Irish Ambassador’s residence, hosted by Susanna Quinn, Eric Kuhn, Stephanie Cutter, Sarah Kate Ellis, Adrienne Elrod, Karen Finney, Adam Rathe and Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason.
WHCW Kickoff Reception: British Ambassador Karen Pierce and Politico host a reception at the British Embassy.
Washington Women in Journalism Awards: Kara Swisher, Rachel Scott, Carol Leonnig and Meridith McGraw are honored at the annual event.
Step Into The Spotlight: Axios and LiveNation host a live music event with a mystery guest at the Organization of American States.
The Fourth Estate: WME and Puck host a reception and conversation at The Riggs Hotel, with Aaron Sorkin.
Friday, April 26
Disparities In Digital Access Breakfast: Washington Post Live features FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
TGAIFriday Lunch: The Washington AI Network hosts a lunch with a conversation with Joelle Pineau, VP of AI research at Meta.
MPA-NBCU Reception: The Motion Picture Association and NBCUniversal host a reception at the MPA honoring Kelly O’Donnell, this year’s WHCA president.
Creative Coalition Dinner: The arts organization, led by Tim Daly, holds its annual Right To Bear Arts Gala Dinner.
Washington Post Dinner:The media outlet hosts a dinner to kick off the weekend.
The Semafor ‘No Agenda’ WHCD Party: CEO Justin Smith hosts at event at his home.
WHCD Kickoff Party: CAA toasts Jost at a kickoff party at La Grande Boucherie.
Celebration of America’s Journalists: UTA hosts its annual bash at Fiola Mare.
Saturday, April 27
The Diplomat: Deadline, Netflix and the Irish ambassador host a breakfast at the ambassador’s residence, with a conversation featuring stars Russell, Sewell, and producer Cahn and ambassador Byrne Nason. moderated by Deadline DC bureau chief Ted Johnson and introduced by executive editor Dominic Patten
Trust & Transparency in 2024: The Washington Post hosts a pre-dinner breakfast.
Garden Brunch: Tammy Haddad hosts the annual WHCA brunch at the Beall-Washington House, along with Ruth Porat, Kevin Sheekey, Mark and Sally Ein, Symone Sanders-Townsend, Jon Banner, Craig Minassian and Franco Nuschese.
The Dinner Itself: Around 3,000 guests are expected for the dinner, with red carpet and dinner coverage on C-SPAN and cable networks including CNN carrying Biden and Jost’s remarks. Media outlets also host pre-receptions throughout the Washington Hilton.
With POTUS, the First Lady, VPOTUS, and Second Gentleman in the ballroom, the event raises money for journalism scholarships, along with the presentation of awards for White House and D.C. coverage.
Comcast-NBCUniversal New Group After Party: NBCU hosts an event at the residence of French ambassador Laurent Bili, highlighting the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Time-Amazon MGM Studios After Party: Jacques Pitteloud, the ambassador of Switzerland, and Madame Angelique Gakoko Pitteloud host an after-party for Time and Amazon MGM Studios.
Sunday
Politico Brunch. Elena and Robert Albritton and Politico host a brunch at the Albritton residence.
CNN Finale Reception. The network and British Ambassador Karen Pierce hosts an afternoon reception at her residence to cap off the weekend.
Dominic Patten contributed to this report