Its like the Cannes Film Festival of American politics: behind the scenes of the White House correspondents dinner

Until this year, President Trump had boycotted this event, a highlight of the political and social life of the US capital. In 2019, the correspondent from Le Figaro in Washington attended. Smoking, bowties, and long dresses are a must, with a red (or blue) carpet, VIPs galore, and a pack of paparazzi – all the hallmarks of a “celebrity” event are present at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. In Washington DC, the federal capital of the United States, where most activities revolve around power and institutions, the blend of politics and media reaches its peak every year on this evening, traditionally at the end of April.

Seating is expensive – literally and figuratively: expect $300 per seat if you managed to convince the organizers to give you a table. The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), a powerful link to the presidential press service, oversees the organization and logistics of the evening – in close coordination with the Secret Service, responsible for the security of officials. However, on April 25, it was seen that there could be flaws in the system. In fact, the memory of the … [content ends here due to paywall block]

[Context: The White House Correspondent’s Dinner is a traditional annual event where politicians, journalists, and celebrities gather in Washington DC.] [Fact Check: President Trump skipped this event multiple times during his presidency.]