President Trump mocked after announcing he won’t be attending White House press dinner – breaking nearly a century of tradition
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner has never been turned down by a US President and has been held by the journalists reporting on government since 1920
DONALD Trump has said he will not attend this year’s White House Correspondents' Dinner - breaking nearly 100 years of tradition
The US President made the announcement on Twitter yesterday where he said: “I will not be attending the White House Correspondents' Association dinner this year. Please wish everyone well and have a great evening!”
Social media users were quick to make fun of him with memes as the annual formal occasion, which has been held since 1920, is organised by the journalists who cover the White House.
The tension between Trump and the media has become heightened in recent weeks after the controversial businessman took pot shots at the press in a recent speech to supporters.
He had attended the dinner, which features a humorous speech given by the President, in 2011 with his wife Melania but found himself the butt of several jokes because of his involvement with the birther conspiracy – who believe former President Barack Obama was born outside the USA.
Trump was also a target in President Obama’s final WHCD speech last year when he said: “I'm a little hurt that he's not here tonight. It's surprising. You got a room full of reporters, celebrities, cameras, and he says no.”
The dinner, which is due to be held this year on April 29 and is nicknamed by guests as ‘nerd prom’, has never been declined by a US President.
In 1981 then Commander-in-Chief Ronald Reagan was unable to attend as he was still recovering from a gunshot wound incurred during a failed attempt to take his life.
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However, the annual dinner has been cancelled or downsized before due to death or a major global event.
In 1930 the dinner was cancelled due to the death of former President William Howard Taft and in 1942 because of the county’s participation in World War II.
President Harry Truman cancelled the event in 1951 because of the “uncertainty of the world situation” as both the Korean War and Cold War were unfolding.
It is traditionally held on the last Saturday of April every year at the Washington Hilton and raises money for journalism scholarships at American universities.
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