It's usually an event full of jokes, glitter, and laughter. Former President Joe Biden joked about his low popularity ratings, and Barack Obama brought an "aggression interpreter". In 2018, many laughed out loud when comedian Michelle Wolf dismissed Sarah Sanders, then press secretary in Donald Trump's White House, as someone who "burns facts".
But at this year's dinner for accredited White House journalists, the atmosphere is likely to be different. President Donald Trump is doing what he did during his first term and skipping the event, reports Axios. His example is being followed by press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Stand-up comedy, usually a standing feature at the dinner, won't happen either. Comedian Amber Ruffin, who was originally booked for the evening, was cancelled after making critical comments about President Trump, reports Politico.
In conservative circles, there is currently a discussion about the possibility of holding a "rival event" on the same date, April 26. One proposal that has been put forward is a birthday celebration for the USA's First Lady Melania Trump, writes Politico.
