Media Roasts Trump as Gridiron Dinner Breaks Tradition
At the prestigious Gridiron Club Dinner in Washington, DC, on Saturday, the media made headlines by toasting the First Amendment instead of the sitting president, Donald Trump. The break from tradition, which dates back to 1885, came as Trump opted to skip the annual white-tie event, choosing instead to spend the weekend at his Florida residence.
The Gridiron Dinner, a long-standing gathering of media elites, lawmakers, diplomats, and other notable figures, has historically been an evening of humor and self-deprecation. Presidents from both parties have attended over the years, often making lighthearted jokes at their own expense. Trump himself attended during his first administration but was absent this year. In his absence, attendees playfully took swipes at the 78-year-old, marking an unprecedented shift in the event’s customs.
For the first time in the dinner’s history, the traditional toast to the sitting president was replaced with a toast to the First Amendment, a symbolic move emphasizing press freedom. Despite Trump’s absence, he remained a major talking point throughout the evening. A video montage featured past Republican presidents, including Trump’s previous term, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush, all delivering humorous remarks from previous Gridiron events.
A Night of Bipartisan Jabs
As per tradition, the evening’s entertainment included lighthearted jokes aimed at both political parties. Democrats, still reeling from their recent election loss, were frequent targets, as were Trump, tech billionaire Elon Musk, and even the cryptocurrency Dogecoin.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a rising Democratic star and potential 2028 presidential contender, was the evening’s Democratic headliner. In his speech, Moore humorously dismissed speculation that he might lead the opposition against Trump.
“In the middle of the chaos, people are asking if I will be the new leader of the resistance. My answer is always the same. That job is filled,” he quipped. He also poked fun at Vice President J.D. Vance, referencing viral social media commentary about Vance’s use of eyeliner.
Moore further teased his fellow Democratic governors rumored to be eyeing the White House in 2028, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. However, he got some of the night’s biggest laughs when he joked:
“If I actually wanted to be president, I wouldn’t be here tonight. Instead, I would take my case directly to the people who are in charge of our democracy—the Kremlin.”
Republican headliner Congresswoman Lisa McClain also took jabs at Trump’s inner circle, joking that independent candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. couldn’t attend because he had the measles. She also remarked that Trump’s attorney general pick, Pam Bondi, was chosen because “the Menendez brothers were unavailable.”
Musical Numbers and Impersonations Steal the Show
The evening’s entertainment included musical numbers featuring parodies of show tunes and pop songs that humorously targeted Trump’s Cabinet and key officials. Impersonations of Elon Musk and Robert Kennedy Jr. had the audience in stitches.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer were also among those playfully roasted in the musical skits. Meanwhile, former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe took the stage dressed as Franklin D. Roosevelt, delivering a comical performance before veering off script.
Serious Moments Amid the Laughter
Despite the evening’s comedic focus, there were also moments of gravity. Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova received a standing ovation, as did the mother of missing American journalist Austin Tice, drawing attention to ongoing international crises.
Gridiron Club President Judy Woodruff of PBS served as the night’s emcee. Although former HUD Secretary Scott Turner from the Trump administration attended, no top officials from the current White House were present. Woodruff later revealed that she had invited President Trump, Vice President Vance, and National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien, but all declined. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also reportedly unavailable.
While Trump may have skipped the event, his presence loomed large, with the evening’s humor, satire, and political commentary painting a vivid picture of Washington’s ever-dynamic political landscape.
As tradition shifts and political tensions remain high, the Gridiron Dinner continues to be a unique blend of wit, wisdom, and historical significance in American politics.
In other news: Putin Vows to Spare Ukraine If They Surrender
Media Roasts Trump as Gridiron Dinner Breaks Tradition