If you didn’t hear already, “Daily Show” comedian Michelle Wolf made a couple jokes this weekend at the White House Correspondents Dinner.
Controversy continued to swirl Sunday evening after White House Correspondents’ Association president Margaret Talev released a statement distancing her organization from Wolf’s performance, which included a number of raunchy barbs and pointed shots at White House press secretary Sarah Sanders’ personal appearance.
“Last night’s program was meant to offer a unifying message about our common commitment to a vigorous and free press while honoring civility, great reporting and scholarship winners, not to divide people,” said Talev. “Unfortunately the entertainer’s monologue was not in the spirit of that mission.”
#WHCA Statement to Members on Annual Dinner pic.twitter.com/8DKoHNxpNi
— WHCA (@whca) April 30, 2018
With opinions calcified on both sides, it was essentially a no-win situation for Talev. Critics from the left slaughtered her for caving to right wing pressure, while the right declined to come to her defense — or even jeered that the apology was insufficient.
Here’s a few of the many, many opinions offered in response to it.
This is some bullshit right here. And I say that as a journalist for the past 25 years. https://t.co/9Bjcl1DozC
— Christy Lemire (@christylemire) April 30, 2018
This is most cowardly thing the @whca could possibly write about @michelleisawolf. Every nuanced critique of this administration that she made just flew right over your heads while you kowtowed to keep your White House access. Your organization is a disgrace to journalism.
— Mike Rundle (@flyosity) April 30, 2018
self-criticism, comrade-citizens, is paramount for any enemy of the people seeking rapprochement with the dear leader https://t.co/QM1yz8vw9p
— Philip Gourevitch (@PGourevitch) April 30, 2018
As an ex-reporter, I would not wipe my ass on any part of the White House Correspondents Association now. Either they stand for open speech and are hosting an event in which some blunt truth can be uttered, or they're hosting an empty circle jerk for the powers that be. https://t.co/OT6QAcpGHs
— David Simon (@AoDespair) April 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/amandacarpenter/status/990607886844915715
This statement from White House Correspondents' Association President @margarettalev is a good first step toward long-overdue reforms of the #WHCD.
To my press corps colleagues: Let's fix this. pic.twitter.com/J7f5Rq2PK5
— Gregory Korte (@gregorykorte) April 30, 2018
“First step towards long overdue reform”
It’s a fucking dinner, not Myanmar human rights.
Here’s a 1st step: Get over yourselves @whca.
Do your job. Cover the WH honestly. Honesty will require brutal honesty. Wolf. Comey. It’s jarring. Stop confusing crude w unfair.
ASAP. https://t.co/MTcedQf8oO
— Philippe Reines (@PhilippeReines) April 30, 2018
The White House Correspondent's Association sortof denounces Michelle Wolf…
But notes that they recognize "great reporting…" they gave CNN an award for their Dossier pee-pee tape coverage last night. #WHCD https://t.co/VjZQsqLkF2
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) April 30, 2018
Every year, I see @whca attendees tweeting about how the dinner is about celebrating the First Amendment. That is sanctimonious enough. But this statement reveals anew what nonsense that is. This is performative rubbish, and I hope that next year’s comedian ridicules them for it. https://t.co/tmGcEAP0gm
— Jamil Smith جميل كريم (@JamilSmith) April 30, 2018
Hi @whca this is you pic.twitter.com/jzuHlZfpqg
— Jamison Foser (@jamisonfoser) April 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/Toure/status/990800134643609602