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US President Barack Obama on Saturday took aim at Democrats and Republicans alike in his final appearance headlining the star-studded White House correspondents' dinner, but saved his sharpest barbs for Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump. (Reuters)
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Obama, 54, began with cracking jokes on Hillary Clinton, apparently referring to her highly-paid speeches to Goldman Sachs. "Here we are, my eighth and final address at this unique event, and I am excited. If this material works well, I'm going to use it for Goldman Sachs," he said. Donald Trump and his party's two other competitor John Kasich and Ted Cruz did not attend the dinner. So did the Democratic presidential frontrunner Clinton. (AP)
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"The Republican establishment is incredulous that he's their most likely nominee," Obama told attendees at the black-tie event, which brought together journalists and media moguls with Hollywood stars and power brokers from Capitol Hill and beyond. (Reuters)
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"It is an honour to be here at my last – and perhaps the last – White House Correspondents' Dinner. You all look great. The end of the republic has never looked better," the first African-American president said. (Reuters)
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"They say Donald lacks the foreign policy experience to be president. But in fairness he has spent years meeting with leaders from around the world: Miss Sweden, Miss Argentina, Miss Azerbaijan," the president said to howls of laughter, referring to contestants on the Miss Universe pageant that Trump formerly co-owned. (Reuters)
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"Guests were asked to check whether they wanted steak or fish, but instead a whole bunch of you wrote in Paul Ryan," Obama said, referring to the top Republican in the House of Representatives, who many have hoped could be lured into running for president. "That's not an option people," Obama said, displaying comedic chops perfected through seven previous appearances at the annual dinner. "You may not like steak or fish, but that's your choice." (Reuters)
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In his remarks, Obama looked back on his presidency and jokingly predicted the country may be nearing its doom. "The end of the republic has never looked better," the tuxedo-clad president said looking out at the well-groomed crowd as he blasted Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus. "Congratulations on all your success," Obama told Priebus, while wearing a sarcastic grin. "The Republican party, the nomination process – it's all going great." (Reuters)
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He did not spare Cruz and Kasich. "Ted had a tough week. He went to Indiana – Hoosier country – stood on a basketball court and called a hoop a 'basketball ring.' What else is in his lexicon? Baseball sticks? Football hats? But sure, I'm the foreign one," Obama said. Then he displayed images of Kasich eating during his campaign. "Some candidates aren't polling high enough to qualify for their own jokes tonight," he said. (Reuters)
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In the middle of his speech, Obama suddenly became serious and started talking about freedom of speech and press as if it was the end of his remarks. After a few sentences, he said this was a joke, he has to speak about Trump – the Republican candidate who joined politics only last summer and is now on the verge of becoming the party's presidential nominee. (Reuters)
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Manjit Singh, co-founder of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund has been appointed as the member of President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. (Reuters)
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Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, who did not attend, could nevertheless once again face the president's barbs, as he did in 2011 when he was weighing a White House bid. At that dinner, which he did attend, Obama skewered him for questioning whether the president was U.S.-born. Obama then speculated about the changes the boisterous billionaire would bring to the White House, including bikini-clad women in the front fountain and gold columns by the entryway. (Reuters)
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With a bit of nostalgia, Obama reflected on his more than seven years in office, saying he had been a young man of idealism and vigor before he became president. "Eight years ago I said it was time to change the tone of our politics," Obama said. "In hindsight, I clearly should have been more specific." (Reuters)
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And he acknowledged that the years had taken their toll. "I'm gray, grizzled … counting down the days to my death panel.'' On the other hand, he pointed out that his approval ratings are up. "The last time I was this high,'' he said, "I was trying to decide on my major.'' When he said he couldn't explain the rise in his popularity, two photographs of scowling presidential candidates appeared on ballroom screens: Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. (Reuters)
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Obama took a few more swipes at the presidential race, noting that "next year at this time someone else will be standing here in this very spot, and it's anyone's guess who she will be.''
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Manjit Singh, co-founder of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund has been appointed as the member of President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
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