US President George W. Bush (left) waves with comedian Steve Bridges at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, April 29, 2006. AFP via Getty Images The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is usually a predictable affair: Journalists and celebrities gather to reinforce their credentials as powerful insiders who should be the ones running the country.
This year’s dinner, set for Saturday in Washington, DC, is likely to be something quite different from previous gatherings of media elites.
That’s because President Donald Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania, says he will attend — after snubbing the event throughout his first term, and last year as well.
This dinner could be unique, even unsettling, because of a letter recently signed by more than 250 journalists calling on the dinner’s organizers “to forcefully demonstrate opposition” to the presidential guest of honor, due to “President Trump’s efforts to trample freedom of the press.”
The letter reads, in part: “We believe the White House Correspondents Association should take stronger action by issuing — from the podium — a forceful defense of freedom of the press and condemnation of those who threaten that freedom, followed by a standing toast to the First Amendment.
“Speak forcefully, in front of the man who seeks to undermine our country’s long tradition of an independent, strong and free press,” the signers demanded.
One can debate that last part, given the media’s record low public approval ratings.
But what will make the event watchable is how Trump chooses to react.
He might play offense and list his many grievances against the media.
Political impressionist, Steve Bridges, gestures as he imitates U.S. President George W. Bush during a taping of “Meet the Press” at the NBC studios May 7, 2006 in Washington, DC Getty Images for Meet the Press Or he can fool them by taking an approach they don’t expect: Humility and self-deprecating humor.
That was the path taken by George W. Bush at the 2006 correspondents’ dinner.
Standing next to him with a lectern and presidential seal was entertainer and Bush lookalike Steve Bridges.
Bridges played the part of Bush’s alter ego, telling the members of the press what Bush really thought of them — and of himself.
“Here I am at another one of these press dinners,” Bridges said.
“I could be home asleep with little Barney at my feet, but no, I have to pretend I like being here.”
The real Bush: “I’m absolutely delighted to be here, as is Laura.”
Bridges: “The media really ticks me off by not editing what I say.”
And later: “How come I can’t have dinner with the 36% of the people who like me?”
Bush made fun of himself, his mangled syntax, his low approval ratings, and even his vice president, Dick Cheney — who, he said, “is a good man with a good heart. Well, a good man.”
Self-deprecating humor reflects a certain level of modesty that tells people you don’t think more highly of yourself than you should.
US President George W. Bush (left) performs with comedian Steve Bridges, who is impersonating him, at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, 29 April 2006, at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC. AFP via Getty Images President Calvin Coolidge put it succinctly (as he always did) a century ago: “It is a great advantage to a president, and a major source of safety to the country, for him to know that he is not a great man.”
Does President Trump have within him the capacity to demonstrate humility?
He hasn’t yet done so in either his presidential or his business life.
Maybe he could fake it: In Washington, if you can fake humility, you can fake anything.
Cal Thomas is a veteran political commentator, columnist and author.
