Biden Jokes About Age and Trump at White House Correspondents' Dinner Amid Serious Issues

President Joe Biden took the stage at the 2024 White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night, delivering a speech that mixed self-deprecating humor about his age with sharp jabs at his likely 2024 opponent, former President Donald Trump. The annual event, which celebrates the free press and honors top journalists, provided a platform for Biden to address both the lighter side of politics and the weighty issues facing the nation.

Biden, who is 81 years old, wasted no time in poking fun at his advanced age, quipping, "The 2024 election is in full swing. And yes, age is an issue. I'm a grown man running against a six-year-old." "Age is the only thing we have in common," he added, referring to the 77-year-old Trump.

However, the president's speech also took a serious turn as he addressed the ongoing criminal trials against Trump and the events of January 6, 2021. "The defeated former president has made no secret of his attack on our democracy," Biden warned, urging the audience to "move past the horse race numbers" and "focus on what's actually at stake."

Biden also used the platform to call for the release of detained American journalists, specifically mentioning Austin Tice, who has been held captive in Syria for nearly 12 years, and Evan Gershkovich, a Moscow correspondent for The Wall Street Journal who has been jailed in Russia for 396 days. "Journalism is not a crime," Biden declared, vowing to do everything in his power to bring these journalists and all other wrongfully detained Americans home.

Why this matters: The White House Correspondents' Dinner, while known for its lighthearted moments, also serves as a reminder of the critical role that a free press plays in a democracy. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Biden's remarks underscore the high stakes involved and the importance of focusing on the issues that will shape the nation's future.

The dinner, which featured a range of high-profile guests, including celebrities and politicians, was not without controversy. Outside the event, protesters gathered to criticize Biden's handling of the ongoing war in Gaza and the media's coverage of the conflict. Despite these tensions, Biden's speech aimed to strike a balance between acknowledging the challenges facing the country and celebrating the enduring spirit of American democracy.

Key Takeaways

• Biden mocked Trump's age at White House Correspondents' Dinner.
• Biden addressed Trump's attacks on democracy and January 6 events.
• Biden called for release of detained American journalists Tice and Gershkovich.
• Dinner highlighted role of free press in democracy as 2024 election nears.
• Protests outside event criticized Biden's handling of the Gaza war.