At WHCD Weekend, Glam With a (Small) Dash of Dystopia

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This weekend in Washington D.C., I strolled through UTA’s yearly event on a Friday evening, coinciding with the White House Correspondents Dinner. As anticipated, familiar sights filled the night.

During a playful moment at a party, television news personalities Dana Bash and John Berman mock-introduced themselves to one another, with the whole scene captured by their coworker, D.C. bureau chief David Chalian, in a photograph.

Senator Amy Klobuchar was found amidst the throng of people at Osteria Mozza’s spacious venue in Washington D.C., which is an offshoot of Nancy Silverton’s longstanding restaurant in Hollywood. She warmly greeted numerous supporters who approached her.

Over the weekend, a DJ played Whitney Houston’s hits and mixologists served custom-made drinks, while numerous well-dressed professionals from the media mingled, chuckled, and occasionally danced, creating a scene that was replicated over a dozen times across the city.

The unexpected nature of the scenes stemmed from the events unfolding beyond the party’s boundaries. Fear of a recession caused by tariffs, worries about fair treatment during migrant deportations, and, certainly, the repercussions of DOGE-related upheaval in many aid and regulatory systems remain ongoing issues during the turbulent initial 100 days of the second Trump administration.

The unexpected thing was what was happening outside the party, including concerns about a tariff-caused recession, fairness in deporting migrants, and the problems arising from DOGE’s impact on aid and regulation systems during the first 100 days of Trump’s second term.

Pay closer attention at social gatherings, and you might pick up on an unsettling vibe. Overheard phrases such as “strong leader” and “The Supreme Court is our last resort” suggest a sense of urgency; if you listen carefully amidst the chatter, you can detect the undercurrents of concern. It may be necessary to strain your ears a bit.

People who weren’t part of the White House Correspondents Dinner circle might have anticipated a solemn event for this typical spring weekend, or no event at all. The main event, after all, seemed noticeably different, with the usual comedian being absent and very few prominent Republicans (and not many celebrities) attending the Hilton ballroom on Saturday night. Instead, the dinner this year took a turn to become a celebration honoring the First Amendment, featuring award recipients and student journalists.

Over these past few days, gatherings around the dinner table have largely continued in their typical fashion, as it appears that people were eager for a respite from the chaos and a chance to revert back to normality, even if only for a brief weekend. This temporary escape was facilitated by stylish attire and exquisite hors d’oeuvres.

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The dinner gatherings over the past several days have mostly persisted in their usual form, as it seems that people craved a momentary relief from the disarray and a chance to rewind to normalcy, even if just for a weekend, with the assistance of fashionable clothing and gourmet snacks.

During one of the year’s most coveted events, Tammy Haddad’s annual “garden brunch” in Georgetown on a Saturday afternoon, the crowd of socialites, often referred to as Schmooze Nation, turned up in full swing.

The gathering occurs at a mansion previously owned by Katharine Graham, now in the possession of sports investor Mark Ein. Guests moved about its numerous rooms and large enclosed backyard, enjoying bites from a chopped steakhouse salad and pearl sugar waffles, generating a delightful atmosphere of camaraderie.

On the porch of a house, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins exchanged greetings with Newsmax’s Greta Van Susteren. They took a picture together before Collins departed, wishing Van Susteren a friendly “Goodbye for now,” in anticipation of the night’s events.

At the far end of the space and close to the rear of the fenced backyard, Kevin O’Leary, famously known as “Mr. Wonderful” from Shark Tank, was there for photo opportunities. His bold demeanor encapsulated the spirit of the times, although some might argue that his nickname is not entirely accurate.

Klobuchar returned, and upon hearing a familiar voice, she chuckled, “I recognize a Minnesota accent!” She then approached a gentleman in the front yard for a chat.

Once more, glimpses of the world outside were present, if one knew how to spot them. In the background, close to Mr. Wonderful, Dr. Mehmet Oz – who is now a Medicare and Medicaid administrator – could be observed engaged in deep conversation with guests expressing concerns about these programs. This TV personality and former Pennsylvania Senate candidate oversees these programs under Trump’s administration.

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Reminders of the external world were visible, should you know where to search for them. In the rear section, near Mr. Wonderful, Dr. Mehmet Oz – who serves as a Medicare and Medicaid administrator now – was seen conversing seriously with guests expressing worries about these programs. This individual is known for being a TV personality and a former Senate candidate from Pennsylvania, and he manages these programs under Trump’s leadership.

The grand scale of the event might simply appear as a respite for those who have been tirelessly reporting on this non-stop crisis, often referred to as whack-a-mole. To find Trump biographers celebrating in Washington D.C. in 2025 would be like expressing shock at war reporters letting loose and enjoying themselves at a bar; in distressing locations, the pain tends to lessen the more one focuses. And given today’s media landscape, this might happen even quicker. It’s important to remember that it isn’t only the world that seems to be burning. The journalism industry has faced its own battles, with Trump demanding loyalty from journalists, ABC News settling a lawsuit with him without fighting back, and veteran journalist Bill Owens resigning because he feels he can no longer maintain his independence.

Why don’t we all gather instead?” This way, the question about their celebratory weekend is turned back around as an invitation.

However, it may still appear somewhat puzzling to an outsider from Washington D.C., who might question whether the festivities should be as boisterous or extravagant.

One clear example of exclusive inner-circle behavior took place during the Washington Correspondents’ Association Dinner (WHCD) after party late on Saturday evening at Laurent Bili’s grand estate, who is the French ambassador to the U.S.

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At the WHCD event afterparty on Saturday night, there was a noticeable show of closed-off exclusivity at the luxurious residence of Laurent Bili, the French ambassador in the U.S.

The occasion took place at a Tudor-style mansion that seemed more fitting for the rolling hills of Provence than the bustling city streets of Northwest Washington D.C. The interior boasted 19 bedrooms and sprawled over 27,000 square feet, with scores of tuxedo-clad media personnel filling its spaces on Saturday. A complex of grand rooms led to a cozy parlor adorned with a fireplace, where an artist sketched humorous likenesses of attendees who posed for him – an unexpectedly personal touch amidst the otherwise elaborate socializing. The event, while filled with tailored clothes and networking, provided moments of genuine camaraderie. For those questioning the exclusivity of the media, there was no mistaking it as they overheard conversations such as “They’re always trying to get us to visit their place in the Hamptons, where they keep their yacht.

However, it would be incorrect to think that the weekend belonged solely to the traditional media elite. The buzz of alternative voices could also be heard, suggesting a handover or a shift in power. At a bustling Substack party on Saturday night, Mehdi Hasan and several new platform stars mingled, filling a hotel ballroom with hundreds as a DJ played hits from the 2000s and early 2010s by artists like Phoenix and Robyn. The event was strategically planned for the same time (8 p.m. to 11 p.m.) as the WHCA dinner, without any mention or acknowledgment of the latter at the Substack event. This could be seen as a deliberate counter-programming move against established media.

As a gamer, I found my awareness heightened by a post from one of the hottest new voices on Substack – TV journalist Jim Acosta, who’s taken refuge there after it seemed CNN downgraded him for his outspoken criticism of President Trump. Known for his sharp critiques against media elitism in today’s world, Acosta suggested on Friday that the White House Correspondents’ Dinner should be cancelled during these Trump-driven times.

He penned down, “Disregard the steak dinners at the Hilton; the importance for our profession is far too significant.” The article seemed to convey the same sentiment, though it appears that Acosta’s anger might have been misdirected. The First Amendment celebration at the White House Correspondents Dinner was serious and pertinent, in numerous ways seeming refreshingly devoid of glamour. It felt more like a tour of victory with Plutarch Heavensbee instead.

For those curious about the wider perspective outside the media circle, a brief insight was offered during one of the late-night gatherings over the weekend. As a pair strolled casually in everyday attire – he on a bicycle – a wave of thirty to forty-year-old men in tuxedos poured out cheerfully from the event, buoyed by the atmosphere of professional camaraderie and an open bar. “It must have been a wedding,” the woman commented to her male companion, who merely shrugged and continued walking.

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2025-04-27 20:25