US President Joe Biden traditionally poked fun at political opponents and made jokes about reporters Saturday night at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner, as protesters outside criticized his support for Israel's war against Hamas.
Biden used the event to mock Republican rival Donald Trump for his immaturity, joked about his own advanced age and took shots at reporters in Washington.
“Yes, age is a problem. I'm a grown man, I'm competing against six-year-olds," joked Biden (81).
He later added about former President Trump (77): “Age is the only thing we have in common. My vice president actually supports me.”
Former US President Trump does not enjoy the support of his Vice President Mike Pence.
Demonstrators holding banners in front of the Washington Hilton Hotel, the venue of the annual dinner, shouted about the death of journalists in Gaza, reports Hina.
Hundreds of protesters called on journalists to boycott the event and chanted against officials as they entered.
Biden avoided large protests outside the hotel by arriving through the back entrance, where he was met by smaller groups of protesters calling for a truce.
For the century-old event, hundreds of journalists, politicians and celebrities converged on the hotel's grand banquet hall.
It is a tradition for the president to make jokes about journalists and other guests in the audience during his speeches.
Biden also offered advice to reporters.
“I'm honestly not asking you to take sides. I ask you to understand the gravity of the moment. "Move past the horse racing numbers and ... side events that have come to sensationally dominate our politics and focus on what's really at stake," Biden said.
The White House Correspondents' Association was founded in 1914 and has held a dinner nearly every year since 1921 to honor reporters who cover the president and raise money for scholarships.
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