The White House Correspondence Dinner is a Preview into the Biden's Re-election Campaign
An evening of celebration for government officials, press, and celebrities with PR awards and a campaign speech to a room of adoring fans.
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The first White House Correspondents' Dinner was held in 1921 during Warren G Harding’s presidency with the intent to showcase the White House's acknowledgment of the vital role played by the media in our republic, despite occasional tensions between the press and the President. It was meant as an occasion to foster respectful and civil relations between the President and the press, even though the relationship can be contentious.
Fast forward 102 years. What was once a humble gathering of journalists and politicians has turned into a fancy gala where our country's intelligentsia now have the opportunity to get a good selfie with the President or hobnob with Hollywood celebrities. In turn, celebrities have an opportunity to appear more intelligent and important than they are by proximity to the self-described intellectual elites.
The dinner has become an opportunity for the legacy media to cozy up to those in power rather than hold them accountable. It's like they're more interested in being part of the in-crowd than doing their jobs as journalists.
The state of the legacy media is depressing, and confidence in the media is at an all-time low. Why? Because gone are the days of hard-hitting questions and in-depth investigations. The press no longer challenges a Democrat President but acts as a virtual public relations agency, supporting and protecting the President above their journalistic duties.
The White House and the press have entered an incestuous relationship where the press goes to work for the White House, and the White House has become a stepping stone to becoming commentators and hosting positions on legacy media for more influence and income.
It's a shame, really. The press has a crucial role to play in holding our leaders accountable and shining a light on the truth. But we all lose out when they prioritize fawning over the President and rubbing elbows with the rich and famous.
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