Amber Ruffin Removed as WH Correspondents Dinner Entertainer After Controversial Comments

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Comedian Amber Ruffin has been dropped as the featured entertainer for this year’s White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner after making controversial remarks about the Trump administration. The decision, announced by WHCA President Eugene Daniels over the weekend, shifts the focus of the April 26 event back to journalistic achievements.

Ruffin, known for her work on NBC‘s “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” previously indicated she would highlight President Donald Trump in her comedic routine. However, her characterization of the Trump administration as “kind of a bunch of murderers” during a podcast last week escalated tensions. Daniels stated the association now aims to celebrate journalistic excellence rather than partisan humor.

The President is not expected to attend the dinner, which has traditionally featured comedians who often roast political figures from both parties. Past entertainers include Stephen Colbert, Colin Jost, and Trevor Noah. The last event without a comedian occurred in 2019 during the Trump administration when historian Ron Chernow spoke.

In her appearance on The Daily Beast podcast, Ruffin emphasized the challenges of delivering even-handed humor in today’s political landscape. While addressing concerns about bias, she remarked to her co-host, Samantha Bee, “It can’t be evenhanded.” Ruffin further suggested that the Trump team was overly sensitive to criticism. “I think they get their feelings hurt,” she explained, expressing skepticism that drawing equal attention to all sides would satisfy the administration.

Upon knowing of her dismissal, Ruffin reportedly was not given the opportunity to clarify her intentions with the WHCA prior to the announcement. Daniels did not mention her comments in his statement and did not respond to inquiries for further clarification.

Taylor Budowich, Deputy Chief of Staff, criticized Ruffin as a “second-rate comedian” and questioned why any sensible journalist would participate in such an event. He expressed disappointment in the correspondents’ group’s decision to overlook Ruffin’s comments, calling it a sign of how the organization struggles with relevance.

In response to Budowich’s comments, Daniels stated he had been contemplating a reimagined dinner format for weeks. He noted the intent to focus on awarding journalistic excellence and fostering mentorship opportunities for up-and-coming journalists.

The fallout from Ruffin’s removal sparked significant online discussions, leading some critics to accuse the WHCA of capitulating to external pressures, particularly the Trump camp. Supporters of the President expressed relief at the news, suggesting they preferred a more light-hearted event.

Ruffin’s situation has become symptomatic of broader issues surrounding the media’s relationship with the current administration, one that continues to strain under contentious dynamics. As these developments unfold, insiders remain watchful of how they may redefine public discourse.