The annual White House Correspondents dinner in Washington has been postponed due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.
Steve Thomma, the group’s executive director, said the WHCA is “unable to go ahead” with the April 25th event, and that an alternative date will be announced soon.
The president traditionally speaks at the dinner, although President Trump has skipped the event in his first three years of an often contentious relationship with the press.
The featured entertainment for this year’s dinner would have been Saturday Night Live cast member Kenan Thompson and comedian Hasan Minhaj.
Comedians are traditionally the headliners at the event, which raises money for journalism scholarships and highlights annual journalism awards. But after comedian Michelle Wolf was criticized for her remarks at the 2018 dinner, the WHCA departed from its routine by choosing author and historian Ron Chernow to speak last year.
Mr. Trump had not said whether he would attend this year’s event but it was considered unlikely. He has held political rallies on the same date as the dinner in previous years.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.