By agreeing to attend the 2018 Gridiron Club Dinner on March 3, President Trump is putting himself in the line of comedic fire.
The Washington journalism club, dating to 1885, holds an annual event similar to the “Nerd Prom” — the White House Correspondents Association dinner.
Gridiron Club dinners traditionally include comedy skits that poke fun at both parties — and the president. But Trump gets a chance to shoot back at “fake news” outlets.
“The president is planning to attend the Gridiron dinner,” said White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “But no decision has been made regarding the WHCA dinner at this time. Will keep you posted wthere is an update.”
Variety noted: “Trump also skipped the Gridiron dinner last year, and instead Vice President Mike Pence attended. As has been a tradition, Pence made jokes aimed at both sides of the aisle, including at himself.”
Chops are being licked at what barbs will be tossed at the no-cameras event.
Breaking Insult Comedy News: Trump will attend white-tie Gridiron Club dinner, but White House says jury’s still out on the WH Correspondents’ bash, which he boycotted last year.
— Michael M. Grynbaum (@grynbaum) February 19, 2018
Trump attending the closed-door, no-cameras, tradition-bound Gridiron dinner in early March is a smart move by the White House. Gives him space to skip the very different WH Correspondents dinner, with all its glare.
— Neil King (@NKingofDC) February 19, 2018
So Trump is going to the Gridiron and WHCA dinners this year. Does he now believe he has a sense of humor?
— Helen Kennedy (@HelenKennedy) February 19, 2018
Just 2 years ago (+ 200k news cycles ago) @nikkihaley was roasting @realDonaldTrump at the Gridiron, joking she wouldn’t feel like she made it until “Donald Trump demands to see my birth certificate.” https://t.co/CE5RACHL5O via @VeraMBergen https://t.co/A4GWfugDHq
— lesley clark (@lesleyclark) February 19, 2018
Can we predict Trump’s Gridiron Club speech? Let’s see: “They say that I was the greatest football player ever. I scored 11 touchdowns a game. Really great. They wanted me in the NFL, but I wouldn’t kneel down. I was a HUGE hero.
— Will Walker (@tallymanwill) February 19, 2018