WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden took it on the chin Saturday at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner as he laughed gamely through sharp jokes about his age, and hit back with a few of his own.
Washington’s political and media elites gathered for their annual big-nightout in the US for an event that ranged from the traditional comedy gags to somber calls to free reporters imprisoned abroad. Headlining the after-dinner entertainment was “Daily Show” correspondent Roy Wood Jr. , who gleefully mocked Biden, 80, for running for a second term in White House. Wood noted recent angry protests in France against raising the retirement age.
“They rioted because they didn’t want to work until 64. Meanwhile, in America, we have an 80-year-old man begging us for four more years of work”. “‘Let me finish the job’ — That’s not a campaign slogan, that’s a plea,” Wood added.
Biden aimed one of his barbs at media mogul Rupert Murdoch, the 92-year-old owner of conservative TV network FoxNews. “You might think I don’t like Rupert Murdoch, that’s simply not true. How can I dislike a guy who makes me look like (29-year-old pop star) Harry Styles?” Bidenjoked. He also targeted CNN presenter Don Lemon who was sacked allegedly after sexist and ageist on-air remarks. “Call me old — I call it being seasoned. You say I am ancient — I say I’m wise. You say I’m over the hill — Don Lemon would say that’s a man in his prime. ”
Washington’s political and media elites gathered for their annual big-nightout in the US for an event that ranged from the traditional comedy gags to somber calls to free reporters imprisoned abroad. Headlining the after-dinner entertainment was “Daily Show” correspondent Roy Wood Jr. , who gleefully mocked Biden, 80, for running for a second term in White House. Wood noted recent angry protests in France against raising the retirement age.
“They rioted because they didn’t want to work until 64. Meanwhile, in America, we have an 80-year-old man begging us for four more years of work”. “‘Let me finish the job’ — That’s not a campaign slogan, that’s a plea,” Wood added.
Biden aimed one of his barbs at media mogul Rupert Murdoch, the 92-year-old owner of conservative TV network FoxNews. “You might think I don’t like Rupert Murdoch, that’s simply not true. How can I dislike a guy who makes me look like (29-year-old pop star) Harry Styles?” Bidenjoked. He also targeted CNN presenter Don Lemon who was sacked allegedly after sexist and ageist on-air remarks. “Call me old — I call it being seasoned. You say I am ancient — I say I’m wise. You say I’m over the hill — Don Lemon would say that’s a man in his prime. ”