President Joe Biden leverages sharp wit in a speech at the annual WHCA dinner, continuing his critique of former president Donald Trump amidst the 2024 election campaign

At the annual White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner, President Joe Biden took the opportunity to humorously criticize his predecessor and potential 2024 rival, Donald Trump. Amidst laughter and applause from nearly 3,000 attendees, including journalists, celebrities, and politicians, Biden described his competition with Trump as akin to “a grown man running against a six-year-old.”

During his roughly 10-minute speech, Biden did not shy away from making pointed jokes about Trump, highlighting his recent troubles and contrasting their political endorsements. The event provided a platform for Biden to underscore significant differences in their leadership styles and visions for America.

Beyond the humor, Biden’s speech turned serious as he addressed the implications of Trump’s rhetoric on democracy. He expressed concern over Trump’s declarations about wanting dictatorial powers and framing himself as a vehicle for revenge and retribution against his opponents. These comments were particularly poignant as Biden referred to the events of January 6th, urging the audience to recognize the serious threats to democratic principles posed by such rhetoric.

The dinner also took place against the backdrop of protests outside the venue, where demonstrators expressed their discontent with the media’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Biden administration’s handling of the situation. Inside, Biden chose not to comment directly on these protests or the conflict, focusing instead on domestic political issues.

The WHCA dinner, known for its blend of journalism and humour, also featured comedian Colin Jost, who followed Biden with a roast of various political figures, providing comic relief amidst the serious undertones of the current political and social climate