The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) has abruptly canceled comedian Amber Ruffin’s scheduled performance at the upcoming White House Correspondents’ Dinner following pushback from the Trump administration.
Ruffin, a celebrated Emmy and Tony-nominated writer known for her satirical political commentary on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, was set to headline the annual event next month. However, her outspoken criticism of former President Donald Trump appears to have sparked a political firestorm.
In a memo to its members, the WHCA emphasized the dinner’s purpose: to honor journalism, not to amplify “the politics of division.” The decision came after White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich slammed the association’s initial choice, calling it a “pathetic cop-out” and labeling Ruffin as “hate-filled.”
Ruffin’s recent segments had poked fun at Trump, including a mock critique of his proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” WHCA President Eugene Daniels had originally praised her as the perfect fit for the current political climate, citing her “unique talents.”
But in an atmosphere of rising tensions between the press and the White House, including the barring of Associated Press reporters from some events and increased press pool restrictions, the WHCA appears to have backed down.
It remains unclear whether Trump himself will attend the event, which has historically featured high-profile comedians like Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Conan O’Brien roasting sitting presidents.
For many observers, Ruffin’s removal raises fresh concerns about press independence, satire, and the growing influence of political pressure on media institutions.
As the event nears, one thing is certain: the decision to sideline comedy in favor of caution has sparked as much conversation as any punchline might have.
