Steve HermanHere at the Washington Hilton, ahead of his remarks to the #WHCADinner, President Biden and the First Lady, Jill Biden, “are participating in a pull-aside meeting with the family of Evan Gershkovich,” according to the White House.
The president and first lady are also meeting with Brittney and Cherelle Griner.
The #WHCADinner is underway with the organization’s president, Tamara Keith, making remarks with President Biden and VP Harris now in the room.
“We are stand-ins for the American people,” says WHCA President Tamara Keith at the event she calls America’s biggest annual celebration of the #FirstAmendment. #WHCADinner
Standing ovation at the #WHCADinner for a colleague being held in a prison in #Russia — #EvanGershkovich of the Wall Street Journal.
Also a standing ovation for #AustinTice, believed held in #Syria since 2012.
The press is the pillar of a free society, not the enemy, President Biden tells #WHCADinner.
“Journalism is not a crime. Evan and Austin should be released immediately,” says President Biden at #WHCADinner.
“I am working like hell to get them home,” says President Biden of Americans unjustly imprisoned overseas.
“I believe in the First Amendment, not because my friend Jimmy Madison wrote it,” jokes President Biden.
Noting the #Twitter and #Tesla owner wanted NPR defunded, President Biden says “the best way to make NPR go away is for Elon Musk to buy it.”
President Biden, in a humorous jab at Fox News, says it is now owned by Dominion Voting Systems and its reporters are at the #WHCADinner because "they couldn't say no to a free meal.”
Striking a serious note again, President Biden says poison is running through our democracy and parts of the extreme press which is telling lies for profit and power.
Daily Show comedian Roy Wood, Jr. tells President Biden at the #WHCADinner “we have to get Tucker (Carlson) back on the air because there’s millions of people who don’t know why they hate you.”
MsNet