WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama cracked jokes and poked fun at rivals Saturday in his last appearance as US leader at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, ending his performance with a mic drop and the words “Obama out.”
The black-tie event—at which the president, followed by a bona fide comedian, regale journalists and their celebrity guests with jokes about government and the media—is an annual inside-the-beltway ritual.
Obama poked fun at himself, the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates, and reporters. On a serious note he praised Washington Post former Tehran correspondent Jason Rezaian, who was released in January after 18 months in an Iranian prison.
“This is a big and intimidating room,” Rezaian said when he was given an award. “But it beats solitary confinement.”
Obama made fun about how he has aged on the job and how in his final year his approval ratings have been rising.
“The last time I was this high, I was trying to decide on my major,” Obama said, a reference to smoking pot in college.
“Here we are. My eighth and final appearance at this unique event,” Obama said. “If this material works well, I’m going to use it at Goldman Sachs next year. Earn me some serious Tubmans.”
That was a jab at Hillary Clinton, criticized for not releasing the transcripts of speeches to the bank she delivered in 2013 and for which she was reportedly paid $675,000. And 19th century abolitionist Harriet Tubman will soon appear on the $20 bill.
Democrat Bernie Sanders—who wore a suit and tie instead of a tuxedo—was the sole presidential candidate present.
“Bernie, you look like a million bucks. Or, to put it in terms you will understand, you look like 37,000 donations of $27 each,” Obama said, a reference to the flood of small contributions to Sanders’ insurgent campaign.
“I am hurt though, Bernie, that you have distanced yourself from me. That’s not something that you do to your comrade.”
Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus “is here as well,” Obama said. “Glad to see that you feel that you have earned the night off.
“Congratulations on all of your success. The Republican Party, the nomination process, it’s all going great. Keep it up.”
The Republicans are split and in disarray over what to do with Donald Trump, the 2016 Republican White House front runner.