‘Daily Show’ Comedian Hasan Minhaj To Host White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Daily Show correspondent Hasan Minhaj will be the host of annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

HASAN MINHAJ TO HOST WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER

While this dinner is traditionally a fun event for press and White House staff to enjoy, Donald Trump and his staff will not be in attendance this year given the president’s caustic relationship with the press. Many organizations have even decided to boycott the event this year.

Minhaj has already started off with a bang, by speaking about Trump and the dinner sarcastically. “It is a tremendous honor to be a part of such a historic event even though the president has chosen not to attend this year. SAD!” Minhaj joked in a statement. Then on a more serious note, said, “Now more than ever, it is vital that we honor the First Amendment and the freedom of the press.”

“I am thrilled that Hasan will serve as our featured entertainer at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner,” said White House Correspondents’ Association president Jeff Mason. “Hasan’s smarts, big heart and passion for press freedom make him the perfect fit for our event, which will be focused on the First Amendment and the importance of a robust and independent media.”

The dinner will take place on April 29 in Washington, D.C. In addition, Samantha Bee, the host of TBS’s Full Frontal, has announced she will also host an event the same night called “Not the White House Correspondents’ Dinner,” with proceeds going to the Committee to Protect Journalists.