My prediction: Obama will be invited and, naturally, will have some lines written for him to trash President Trump to adoring smiles and cheers. TD
Hollywood Reporter. . . "Trump's decision comes after CNN, The New York Times, Politico and several other major media outlets were blocked from attending a Friday White House press briefing. The president also continued to express his dislike for "fake news" media and targeted reporters' use of anonymous sources while speaking to the Conservative Political Action Committee on Friday.
"White House Correspondents' Association president Jeff Mason said in a statement that the group has noted Trump's announcement and is still looking forward to the April 29 dinner, "which has been and will continue to be a celebration of the First Amendment and the important role played by an independent news media in a healthy republic.
" 'We look forward to shining a spotlight at the dinner on some of the best political journalism of the past year and recognizing the promising students who represent the next generation of our profession," the statement concludes." . . .
The Daily Mail scathingly covers the issue here.
. . . "President Donald Trump has announced that he will not be attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner this year in a shocking break with tradition.
" 'I will not be attending the White House Correspondents' Association dinner this year. Please wish everyone well and have a great evening!' Trump tweeted on Saturday afternoon.
"His announcement comes amid growing tensions between his administration and media outlets.
"Trump attended the dinner in 2011 with his wife Melania where he was repeatedly mocked by then-president Barack Obama.
"He skipped the dinner in 2016 during the presidential campaign where Obama again took aim at the then-candidate, saying: 'I'm a little hurt that he's not here tonight. It's surprising. You got a room full of reporters, celebrities, cameras, and he says no.' "
Don’t get mad, get even. . . . "It’s a disgusting spectacle of insiders patting insiders on the back, and the in-the-know crowd rubbing of self-important elbows. Inevitably, “conservative” correspondents hoping to be accepted into the fold attend." . . .Legal Insurrection