The US president continued to deliver the speech at the Washington event after being canceled for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and boycotted by Trump during his presidency. But among the jokes, Biden also made a serious note as he praised journalists covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stressed the importance of a free press against the “poison” of misinformation. Journalists, media executives, White House officials and celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Brooke Shields and Drew Barrymore were among those who attended the Daily Show charity dinner hosted by comedian Trevor Noah. Talk show host James Corden was among those who appeared in the recorded sketches. “I’m really excited to be here tonight with the only American team with a lower acceptance rating than me,” Biden said, referring to his own poor showing in opinion polls and media critics. He also said that it was understandable that no president had attended the event by Barack Obama in 2016. “We had a horrible plague that followed two years of COVID,” he joked. In another harassment of Trump, Biden said, “Imagine if my predecessor came to this dinner this year. Now this would be a real coup.” This was an obstacle in Mr. Trump’s attempt to overthrow the election he lost to Biden in 2020. The president also marked the Fox News hosts present – many of whom have expressed skepticism about coronavirus vaccines in the air. Image: Mr Biden mocked himself and his critics during the event. Photo: AP He said: “I know there are a lot of questions about whether we should gather here tonight because of COVID. “Well, we are here to show the country that we are going through this pandemic. In addition, everyone must prove that they are fully vaccinated and fortified. “Just contact your favorite Fox News reporter. They are all here. Vaccinated and reinforced.” Image: Kim Kardashian was among those who attended the event. Photo: AP While most of his speech was light, his comments took on a more serious tone when he thanked the journalists for their courage in covering Ukraine and beyond and stressed the vital role that journalism has played in a democracy. He said: “A poison is running in our democracy … with the misinformation growing massively. “You, the free press, are more important than you ever were in the last century. I really mean it. “You are the guardians of the truth.” Image: The charity event was attended by comedian Trevor Noah of The Daily Show. Photo: AP Mr Biden also could not resist his final statements in a dig against Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who has violently suppressed dissent since attacking Ukraine. Referring to the comedian’s dinner presenter, Biden said: “Trevor, the really good news is that you can now bake the president of the United States. “And unlike Moscow, you will not go to jail.”
