The main news this week, President Joe Biden remarked at a weekend Washington roast, was that two contenders had secured their party’s presidential candidacy. But one was too old and mentally unsuitable for the job, he claimed.
“The other’s me,” Bidden joked.
The president’s jabs at Republican Donald Trump continued at the annual Gridiron Club and Foundation Dinner, as Biden rejected recurring charges that his memory is fuzzy and he appears confused, instead noting occasions when the 77-year-old Trump screwed up as well.
“Don’t tell him, he thinks he’s running against Barack Obama, that’s what he said,” added Biden, 81, who also admitted to staying up late.
It was Biden’s first time attending the event during his administration, and it came as the 2024 election approached and the rematch between Biden and Trump heated up. The yearly bacchanalia, now in its 139th year, dates back to 1885 when President Grover Cleveland refused to attend. Every president since has visited at least one Gridiron.
Biden swiftly swerved into melancholy territory, underlining what he sees as a serious threat to democracy if Trump — who continues to erroneously claim that the 2020 election was stolen — returns to the White House. The address echoed Biden’s campaign rhetoric, which criticized Trump while also being too light on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We live in an unprecedented moment in democracy,” he told the crowd. “This is an unusual moment in history. Democracy and freedom are literally being attacked. Putin is on the march in Europe. “My predecessor bows down to him and says, ‘Do whatever the hell you want.'”
Biden then introduced Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
“We will not back down. “They will not bow down, and neither will I,” he added.
Biden, dressed in white tie as is customary, brought his daughter Ashley.
The dinner, known as a night of bipartisan mirth, was attended by politicians and Washington’s who’s who, including Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff, at least eight other Cabinet members, at least five members of Congress, five governors, and five ambassadors. Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who is in town for St. Patrick’s Day, was also present.
Harris, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (Democrat), and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (Republican) all spoke at the meal.
Biden concluded the meal, emphasizing the significance of a free press. Although he does not agree with everything the news media publishes, he recognizes the importance of journalism and stated that he is still working to get journalists Evan Gershovich and Austin Tice home, one of whom is being jailed in Russia and the other who went missing while reporting in Syria.
“Good journalism holds a mirror up to society,” he told the audience. “We need you.”
Biden and Harris were placed at the head table alongside other administration officials, foreign leaders, and Gridiron president Dan Balz of the Washington Post. Balz’s supervisors were also present at the table, including the Post’s Executive Editor Sally Buzbee and the newspaper’s owner, Jeff Bezos.
The dinner was held at the Grand Hyatt. No photographs or television were permitted.