Mueller and Russia loom over BuzzFeed’s alternative WHCD party

The Russia investigation and Robert Mueller’s special counsel probe hovered over 2019’s BuzzFeed White House Correspondents Association (WHCD) dinner “Watch (or not) Party,” where journalists mingled Saturday ahead of the annual dinner.

At 18th street’s trendy Bourbon whiskey bar, BuzzFeed’s editor-in-chief Ben Smith held court over a lively crowd, joking that this year’s dinner had shaped up to be the “grimmest” in recent memory following the announcement that the White House Correspondents’ Association declined to invite a comedian to host the event as had been done in years past.

{mosads}Overall, the affair took on a lighter note than previous years as the comparatively lightly-attended event grew in size towards the beginning of the dinner while some tuxedo-clad guests were seen hurrying off to the main event shortly before the evening’s entertainment started.

BuzzFeed has held their annual alternative gatherings since 2013, when the company was unable to secure a spot at the yearly White House Correspondents’ Dinner. At the time, the explanation given was that BuzzFeed waited too long to secure a table.

Complimentary drinks for the evening centered around creative names referencing the now-shuttered Russia probe, including “Moscow Muellers” and “Old Fashion Redactions” while “Broken Embargo-ritas” were also a heavy favorite.

The online news site found itself at the center of the Russia when in January 2017, it made the decision to publish the controversial Steele dossier, which included salacious but unverified details about President Trump’s dealings with Russia.

In response, Trump called the website a “failing pile of garbage” ahead of his inauguration.

Smith oversaw a spread of burgers, fried chicken and assorted snack foods from the bar’s main floor and backyard porch area while others including writer Torraine Walker were seen talking to guests on the second and third floors.

Former Reason magazine editor-in-chief Nick Gillespie was also seen at the event.