With a biting brand of humor, President Obama slung barbs at both parties and the media Saturday night in his last appearance as the center of attention at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Mr. Obama noted the unrest in the Republican Party’s presidential nomination race, telling the diners in the Washington Hilton Hotel ballroom that guests “were asked to check whether they wanted steak or fish, and instead a whole bunch of you wrote in [House Speaker] Paul Ryan.”
The president also called out Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, saying the billionaire real estate mogul “has spent years meeting with leaders from around the world — Miss Sweden, Miss Argentina, Miss Azerbaijan.” Mr. Trump is a former owner of the Miss Universe Organization.
“And there’s one area where Donald’s experience could be invaluable, and that’s closing Guantanamo, because Trump knows a thing or two about running waterfront properties into the ground,” he added about the reality TV star, who did not attend the dinner.
After calling presidential candidate Bernard Sanders the bright new face of the Democratic Party, Mr. Obama contrasted the slogan “Feel the Bern” with one he said was rival Hillary Clinton’s: “Trudge Up the Hill.”
His comments from the podium drew lots of laughs from the journalists, politicians and entertainers at the gala. It was his eighth appearance at the event and his last as president, and he kidded about the pains of being a lame duck.
“If this material works well, I’m going to use it at Goldman Sachs next year,” he joked. “Earn me some serious Tubmans.”
Mr. Obama ended his remarks with “Obama out” and dropped the microphone, as the crowd cheered.
Comedian Larry Wilmore followed Mr. Obama’s performance with a routine that included several moments of racial awkwardness, telling the audience “welcome to Negro night” and said that having him and Mr. Obama headline such an elegant event led Fox News to report an interruption by “two thugs.”
He also called out Mr. Obama’s achievement as America’s first black president: “Yo Barry, you did it, my n—-a,” prompting some groans despite the president himself playing along with a grin and a fist to his chest.
The Washington Times hosted its annual pre-dinner get-together Saturday evening, hosted by The Times’ opinion editor, David Keene. Among The Times’ guests were retired Air Force Gen. Michael V. Hayden, former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan.
The state’s second Republican governor since 2007, Mr. Hogan has battled cancer since entering office last year. He smiled beside his wife, Yumi, as he related his clean bill of health and positive outlook.
“I’m doing great, I feel great. I’m cancer-free and feeling stronger every day,” Mr. Hogan said.
Mr. Hogan lost his hair while undergoing chemotherapy. Saturday evening, the governor pointed to his pate, where hair is returning.
“I have hair growing, I feel terrific,” he said.
Monica Crowley, The Times’ online opinion editor and a Fox News commentator, traveled from New York for the event, as she did last year. Ms. Crowley spoke with and took photographs with Mr. Hogan and Mr. Jindal, among others.
The “nerd prom” mixes Washington’s elite with Hollywood celebrities. Guests of media outlets who attended Mr. Obama’s final appearance included “Breaking Bad” star Bryan Cranston, Oscar winner Helen Mirren, actress Neve Campbell, and actors Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
The Smiths boycotted the Oscars in February over the lack of diversity of this year’s acting nominees.
Actor Jeff Goldblum, Mr. Smith’s co-star in “Independence Day,” told The Times that he was thrilled to return to the gala after an absence of some years. Mr. Goldblum was a guest of Fox, whose film unit will release “Independence Day Resurgence” this summer.
“I love President Obama and will get to meet him,” Mr. Goldblum said. “I was here a couple of years ago. I had a great time.”
“I’m a newbie,” added Mr. Goldblum’s “Independence Day” co-star, Vivica A. Fox, who told The Times that the sequel to the 1996 film will be “bigger and badder.”
Mr. Sanders, the Vermont independent who is vying with Mrs. Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination, was mobbed wherever he went in the Hilton, with eager reporters, fans and the curious glomming on to him at every turn for photographs or a handshake.
At the dinner itself, Mr. Sanders was a frequent target of comedian Larry Wilmore, “The Nightly Show” host who poked fun at Mr. Sanders’ age and said he is for gun control “everywhere but in Vermont.”
CNN host Wolf Blitzer posed for photographs as well with attendees and guests alike.
Elsewhere in the Hilton, former Republican presidential candidate Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican, held court at the ABC-Yahoo party. Mr. Paul, who dropped out of the race after poor showings this year, had advice for anyone who might be traveling to his home state next weekend for the annual Kentucky Derby.
“Bet a lot of money,” the senator said bluntly when asked by The Times about advice for visitors. “I mean, it’s really good for you, and you’ll feel better about yourself.”
• This article was based in part on wire reports.
• Eric Althoff can be reached at twt@washingtontimes.com.
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