This is Trump Derangement Syndrome.
In yet another display of political bias, Washington’s media and political elites broke a 140-year-old tradition at the annual Gridiron Dinner, an exclusive white-tie event where the powerful gather to trade jokes and political barbs.
The prestigious event, dating back to 1885, has long been a stage for sitting presidents to address the press and political insiders. However, this year, attendees refused to offer the customary toast to the President—marking the first time in history that this tradition was ignored. Instead, the group chose to toast the First Amendment, a move many see as a direct snub to President Trump.
A Longstanding Tradition, Suddenly Broken
Dylan Byers of Puck first reported on this unprecedented break in tradition. While past presidents—both Democrat and Republican—have been honored at the dinner, Trump has not attended since 2018. Members of his administration have also opted out, perhaps recognizing the event’s increasingly partisan nature.
According to The New York Times, Representative Lisa McClain (R-MI) was one of the few Republicans present and took the opportunity to poke fun at Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. by joking:
“I was informed Robert Kennedy was going to attend tonight, but sadly he couldn’t make it… He has the measles.”
Skits Mock Conservatives While Ignoring Biden’s Failures
Beyond the toast controversy, the evening featured skits and musical acts that largely targeted conservative figures.
- One act featured a man impersonating Elon Musk with a chainsaw, singing about his supposed shift to the right.
- Another skit portrayed Democrat leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer as being “lost in the woods”, featuring the line: “No one cares about your pronouns when you’re lost in the woods.”
- President Biden was depicted as an Amtrak employee, referencing his long-standing obsession with taxpayer-funded rail projects.
- Another act mocked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), with AOC accusing Fetterman of secretly supporting MAGA values, while he labeled her a communist.
White House Refuses to Attend—But Why?
Judy Woodruff, president of the Gridiron Club, admitted that the White House declined multiple invitations.
“At most of the Gridiron Club’s Spring Dinners, the President of the United States has spoken. I invited the President, the Vice President, the National Security Adviser, and the Interior Secretary — all declined.”
Instead of hearing from President Biden, attendees were shown video clips of past Republican presidents—including Trump in 2018—highlighting the dinner’s historical emphasis on good humor and bipartisanship.
Final Thoughts
By breaking a 140-year-old tradition, Washington elites once again prove their growing hostility toward President Trump and his supporters. This event, meant to be a lighthearted bipartisan affair, has instead become another example of media and political insiders aligning against conservatives.
One thing is clear: The political divide in America is only getting wider.
