President Trump on Saturday participated in the Gridiron Club dinner’s long-standing tradition of presidential speeches filled with self-deprecating humor, flinging barbs at his own administration as well as the usual targets.
Since its foundation in 1855, almost every president has attended the annual white tie dinner at least once during their administration. The club extends a standing invitation to the president every year.
The event is known for its roast-style speeches, skits and political comedy, with lawmakers and journalists going after one another throughout the dinner.
All eyes were on Trump ahead of the event Saturday evening, with many wondering if the president — who frequently attacks the media and comedians who mock him — would be receptive to jokes at his own expense.
His speech didn’t stray too far from his usual targets, with jokes that took aim at Democrats, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the media and some administration officials. {mosads}
But the president was also the butt of a few of his own jokes, as were members of his family.
Here are Trump’s most memorable punchlines from his debut at the Gridiron dinner:
Trump quips he was late because Kushner couldn’t get through security
In light of Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner having his security clearance downgraded, Trump joked about the matter, saying he was late “because Jared couldn’t get through security.”
“Ivanka, you’ve got to do something!” Trump said, according to White House pool reports, referring to Ivanka Trump, his daughter and Kushner’s wife.
Trump asks who will leave White House next: Stephen Miller or Melania?
Trump’s joke about White House turnover comes days after communications director Hope Hicks announced her departure from the administration.
“So many people have been leaving the White House. It’s invigorating since you want turnover. I like chaos. It really is good. Who’s going to be the next to leave? Steve Miller, or Melania?” Trump said, according to White House pool reports.
“That’s terrible. But you love me right, honey? She said, behave! By the way she has been an incredible first lady.”
Early this year, Trump’s relationship with first lady Melania Trump was thrust into the spotlight when reports emerged that former adult-film star Stormy Daniels had an extramarital sexual encounter with Trump early on in his marriage to the first lady.
Bonus joke:
Trump later added that Melania Trump is having a good time in the White House and joked, “she can finally claim me as an adult dependent.”
The dig at the media that also hit Bannon
Trump jokes that Pence is just waiting for his impeachment
“Lately [Pence is] showing a particularly keen interest in the news these days. He wakes up every morning and asks, ‘has he been impeached yet?’ I don’t like that,” Trump joked of his vice president.
He also called Pence his “apprentice” in reference to the reality television show Trump used to host.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing in the ongoing Russia investigation, and appeared to double down on that claim on Saturday.
“You can’t be impeached when there’s no crime,” he said. “Put that down!”
Trump suggests Tillerson should “smoke a peace pipe” with North Koreans
Trump jokes he offered Sessions a ride to the event but he recused himself
Trump has both publicly and privately expressed his frustration over Attorney General Jeff Sessions recusing himself from the investigation into Russia’s election interference. Now, Trump is joking about it too.
“I offered him a ride over and he recused himself,” Trump said, according to a White House press pool report.