D.C. Media’s Gridiron Dinner Features A Toast To The First Amendment — And Not To The President
deadline.comWith Donald Trump waging a war on the news media, one of D.C. media’s longest running dinner events ended the night by toasting the First Amendment, bypassing the traditional nod to the president of the United States.
The annual Gridiron Club dinner, which dates to the 1880s, also was notable for the lack of Trump administration officials, a contrast to previous years when the white-tie event has been populated by cabinet secretaries and top White House officials who listen to a mixture of musical skits and biting humor.
This year, the only cabinet official at the Grand Hyatt event was Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner, who was joined by Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and Janette Nesheiwat, the nominee for surgeon general.
The speakers at the event — who delivered comedy schtick — were Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) and Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI). Last year, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris attended the dinner.
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