Headline Performance Canceled: Comedian Amber Ruffin Dropped from White House Correspondents' Dinner

The White House Correspondents' Association has officially canceled Ruffin’s headlining performance at next month’s event, emphasizing its commitment to honoring journalism over divisive politics.

 

Amber Ruffin, a well-known comedian and writer, was set to headline the upcoming White House correspondents' dinner, but her performance has been scrapped amid rising tensions with the Trump administration. The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) announced the cancellation on Saturday, stating that the event's purpose is to celebrate the work of journalists rather than to delve into politics that could create division.

The association's decision follows pointed criticisms from the White House directed at Ruffin, who has openly mocked President Donald Trump in her routines. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff, voiced his disapproval of the WHCA’s move, labeling it a "cop out" and condemning the association for lacking accountability. Budowich also described Ruffin as "hate-filled" in a post on social media platform X.

The WHCA President, Eugene Daniels, had previously selected Ruffin, an Emmy and Tony-nominated comedian known for her work on NBC's Late Night with Seth Meyers, based on her "unique talents" deemed apt for today's political and cultural landscape. In recent segments, Ruffin has lampooned Trump's administration, including a satirical take on his ill-fated suggestion to rename the Gulf of Mexico.

This isn't the first instance of conflict between the WHCA and the Trump administration; there have been instances of restricting media coverage, including blocking the Associated Press from certain events and attempting to control the press pool that travels with the President. It remains uncertain whether Trump will attend this year’s dinner, which has previously featured comedians like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.