Joe Biden, At D.C.’s Gridiron Dinner, Jokes About Donald Trump Before Getting Serious About His Threat To Democracy
deadline.comPresident Joe Biden, appearing at one of DC’s oldest traditions, the Gridiron Dinner, made some sharp quips about Donald Trump but then turned serious about the threat that his rival poses to democracy.
Biden directed his barbs at his own age and at his predecessor. “One candidate’s too old and mentally unfit to be president,” Biden said. “The other guy’s me.” The dinner tradition, which dates to the 19th century, is a white-tie night that routinely draws the top echelons of government, media and business to watch journalists perform musical skits and politicians, also including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Utah Governor Spencer Cox, do some of their own standup.
Biden noted that his student debt relief program “doesn’t apply to everyone. Just yesterday, a defeated-looking man came up and said, “I’m being crushed by debt.
I’m completely wiped out.” I said, ‘Sorry, Donald I can’t help out.'” Noting that Mitch McConnell was stepping down as GOP leader, Biden said, “I hate to see a friend give up in his prime.” The event — the 139th dinner — featured figures like ABC News’ Jon Karl and CBS News’ Ed O’Keefe in the skits, before an audience that also included Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Attorney General Merrick Garland and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.
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