Amber Ruffin is taking center stage at this spring’s White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner, the first time the high-profile Washington event is being held during President Trump’s second term in office.
The comedian and writer — who’s part of CNN’s comedic news show “Have I Got News For You” — will headline the annual black-tie fête on April 26, the WHCA announced Tuesday.
Group President Eugene Daniels lauded 46-year-old Ruffin, who also serves as a writer on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” as a “perfect fit for the dinner this year” who has the “ability to walk the line between blistering commentary and humor all while provoking her audience to think about the important issues of the day.”
Ruffin’s “unique talents are the ideal fit for this current political and cultural climate,” Daniels said.
Trump — who has frequently sparred with the media and has launched blistering attacks on members of the press — bucked tradition and declined to attend the WHCA dinner throughout his first term. The sitting president is typically the focus — and punchline — for the entertainers who have served as emcees for the journalist-, celebrity- and lawmaker-filled Correspondents’ dinner.
The WHCA has said that proceeds from its buzzy event benefit its work, “including awards recognizing excellence in the profession and scholarships for journalism students.”
In 2019, Trump said he was skipping the WHCA gala and would instead hold a rally.
“The dinner is boring and so negative that we’re going to hold a very positive rally,” he said at the time.
That year, Trump also directed administration officials not to attend the dinner.
The White House didn’t immediately respond when asked if Trump was planning on attending this year’s dinner.
Ruffin joins a long list of comics who have served as emcees for the WHCA dinner, including Colin Jost, Trevor Noah, Jimmy Kimmel, Wanda Sykes, Stephen Colbert and Conan O’Brien, among others.
—Alex Gangitano contributed. Updated at 10:14 a.m.
