US: Biden praises journalists covering war in Ukraine

US President Joe Biden has praised journalists covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a tradition was restored for the US president’s speech at the White House Correspondents’ Union’s official dinner on Saturday night.

Following the cancellation of the aforementioned dinner for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the boycott of former President Donald Trump during his presidency, the event returned with gusto, hosting comments by comedian Trevor Noah.

Biden began his speech by joking about the low percentages he receives in the polls, his age, but also Trump’s hatred for the media.

“I’m really excited about being here tonight, with the only group of Americans with lower acceptance rates than mine,” Biden joked.

His comments took on a more serious character, thanking journalists for their courage as they covered the war situation in Ukraine, before making a call for national unity.

“A poison is running through our democracy … with misinformation on the rise,” Biden said. “You, the free press, are far more important than at any other time in the last century. I really mean that. ”

Journalists, media executives, government officials and celebrities, including Kim Kardashian and comedian Pete Davidson, attended the dinner. During the event, slides were shown in honor of the first two black women journalists who joined the White House Correspondents’ Union, as well as journalists who have lost their lives in recent months covering the war in Ukraine.

A recent increase in COVID-19 infection cases in Washington, D.C. against the pandemic. The organizers required each participant to have a diagnostic test for coronavirus.

Biden took the opportunity to joke with presenters on Fox News. Many of them have expressed skepticism about vaccines during their broadcasts. The American president said that they themselves had to prove that they had been vaccinated in order to take part in the dinner.

Biden, for his part, took further protection measures during the event, skipping dinner and participating only in the program of speeches.

The American president chose not to wear a mask during his speech.

Source: Capital

You may also like