Comedian Amber Ruffin is out as host of this year’s White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner after facing criticism from the Trump administration.
The comedian and writer, 46, was originally announced as headliner of the 2025 event, but will no longer take the stage, according to CNN’s Brian Stelter and People.
The WHCA dinner, a gala where journalists, federal officials, and celebrities gather, has long featured a comedian roasting the sitting president.
Related: Roy Wood Jr. Roasts ‘Diva’ Don Lemon at White House Correspondents’ Dinner (Video)
But on Saturday, March 29, WHCA President Eugene Daniels confirmed that this year’s event will move forward without a comedic performance.
“At this consequential moment for journalism, I want to ensure the focus is not on the politics of division but entirely on awarding our colleagues for their outstanding work and providing scholarship and mentorship to the next generation of journalists,” Daniels said in a memo to WHCA members, obtained by Stelter.
Ruffin’s removal comes after she made comments about the Trump administration in an interview with The Daily Beast published on Friday, March 28.
In the interview, Ruffin said she wanted to call Trump officials “a bunch of murderers.” She also revealed she was being asked to tone down her material for the dinner, as she discussed how she was preparing for the event.
Following her remarks, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich criticized Ruffin on X, formerly Twitter, calling her “a 2nd rate comedian.”
Ruffin, an Emmy and Tony-nominated writer, is known for her work on Late Night with Seth Meyers and as host of The Amber Ruffin Show on Peacock. She has also contributed to CNN’s comedy-news series Have I Got News For You.
Her selection as this year’s host was initially praised by WHCA President Daniels, who told CNN in February that her “unique talents are the ideal fit for this current political and cultural climate… She has the ability to walk the line between blistering commentary and humor.”
The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner has been a Washington tradition since 1921. Started by journalists covering the White House, it’s known for its lighthearted moments. The event also raises scholarship money for future journalists, according to the WHCA website. In recent years, a comedian has roasted the president and other political figures.
The last time a comic did not perform at the gathering was in 2019, when historian Ron Chernow spoke. Past hosts of the event include Stephen Colbert, Trevor Noah, Roy Wood Jr., and most recently Colin Jost.
Despite Ruffin’s removal, the event is set for April 26 at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. Trump is not expected to attend.
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