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The annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner was marked by the presence of Colin Jost, known for his role as the host of “Weekend Update” on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” alongside President Joe Biden. Jost brought his trademark sharp wit to the occasion, accompanied by his wife, Scarlett Johansson, for the customary roast of the sitting President of the United States. His targets ranged from President Biden to Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump, and Senator Bernie Sanders.
Jost kicked off his comedic onslaught with a quip about the challenge of following President Biden’s speeches, joking, “It’s not always easy following President Biden… like it’s not always easy following what he’s saying.” He further teased, “I hope tonight will be a night to remember… for most of us,” in a playful nod to concerns about Biden’s age and the public’s response.
Throughout the evening, Jost didn’t shy away from addressing some of President Biden’s notable controversies, from a decline in approval ratings among Black voters to last summer’s scandal involving cocaine discovered at the White House. In a jesting reference to his “Weekend Update” co-host Michael Che, Jost humorously remarked, “Like many of you here tonight, I pretend to do news on TV. My weekend update Michael Che was going to join me here tonight but in solidarity with President Biden, I decided to lose all my Black support.”
Adding a touch of irreverence, Jost quipped about leaving his cocaine behind during a previous visit to Washington, humorously noting Biden’s potential utilization of the substance during his State of the Union address. He also seized upon recent headlines, poking fun at Columbia University’s involvement in student protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict and cheekily comparing Obama’s capture of Osama Bin Laden to other noteworthy events.
Jost’s wife, Scarlett Johansson, provided a charming presence in the audience, prompting some lighthearted banter from the comedian about his role as the “Second Gentleman.” Expressing gratitude to his wife for her enduring support, Jost humorously promised that she would personally greet every individual in attendance after the event.
The evening concluded on a more solemn note as Jost paid tribute to his late grandfather, a Biden supporter, and praised the President as a “decent man.” Despite the comedic flair of the evening, Jost’s remarks underscored both the humor and reverence characteristic of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
