Amid sharps barbs directed at his Republican rivals and plenty self-deprecating quips, President Obama took the time during his White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech Saturday to take the media to task.
'I know CNN has taken some knocks lately, but the fact is I admire their commitment to cover all sides of the story just in case one of them happens to be accurate,' the comedian-in-chief joked during the annual gala.
In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon attacks April 15, the network found by Ted Turner has drawn fire for inaccurately reporting that an arrest had been made before having to walk back their reporting.
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Roaster-in-chief: President Obama took the time during his White House Correspondents¿ Dinner speech Saturday to take a few jabs at the media
Easy target: The president took CNN to task, saying that he admires the network's 'commitment to cover all sides of the story just in case one of them happens to be accurate'
Opposites attract: Obama laughs with Michael Clemente, Executive Vice President of Fox News, during Conan O'Brien speech at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner
The president also poked fun at MSNBC and his former chief adviser during his remarks, joking: 'Now David Axelrod works for MSNBC, which is a nice change of pace since MSNBC used to work for David Axelrod.'
Obama also did not miss an opportunity to fire off a zinger in the direction of NBC, which has been lagging behind other major networks in the ratings and cancelling unsuccessful shows.
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Proving that he is no stranger to new media, Obama remarked on the growing success of the popular site BuzzFeed while alluding to his history as a casual marijuana smoker.
‘I remember when BuzzFeed was just something I did in college around 2am,’ Obama said with a grin. ‘It's true.’
At the conclusion of his at times hilarious monologue, which included wisecracks about his being a ‘Muslim socialite’ and smoking pot in college, Obama turned serious as he spoke about the tragic attacks in Boston and the deadly explosion in Texas.
Appearing somber, the commander-in-chief praised Americans of all stripes from first responders to local journalists for serving the public good.
Touching tribute: Amid all the jokes, the president turned serious as he spoke about the recent tragedies in Boston and Texas, praising local journalists for their coverage
Late-night television host Conan O'Brien, from left, first lady Michelle Obama, Michael Clemente, Executive Vice President of Fox News, and President Barack Obama attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner
'Even when the days seem darkest, we have seen humanity shine at its brightest,' the president told the audience.
Obama also paid a special tribute to the Boston Globe for its coverage of the bombings, saying: 'If anyone wonders if newspapers are a thing of the past, all you need to do is pick up or log on to papers like the Boston Globe.'
In his remarks, Mr Obama singled out NBC News' Pete Williams, who has been praised for his reporting on the Boston bombings.
The president joked that people in the newsroom now call the veteran reporter 'Big Papi.'
King of comedy: The president got in many zingers directed at his political rivals and showed his penchant for self-deprecating humor, at one point saying that he is no longer the young strapping 'Muslim socialist'
New style: Obama lightly poked fun at his wife Michelle's new bangs by trying the edgy new look on himself
Saturday night's banquet not far from the White House attracted the usual assortment of stars from Hollywood and beyond. Actors Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Claire Danes, who play government characters on series, were among the attendees, as was Korean entertainer Psy.
Several Cabinet members, governors, members of Congress and the US Superme Court were also in attendance at the black-tie event known among Washington insiders as the ‘nerd prom.’
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And despite coming at a somber time, nearly two weeks after the deadly Boston Marathon bombing and 10 days after a devastating fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas, the president and political allies and rivals alike took the opportunity to enjoy some humor. Late-night talk-show host Conan O'Brien headlined the event.
As the headliner of the glamorous gala, O'Brian was unsparing in his often ruthless zingers directed at many of the media greats seated before him.
Following in Obama's footsteps, the late-night comic went on the offensive against CNN, which is run by Jeff Zucker, who was behind O'Brien's disastrous transition to Tonight Show that ended with him leaving NBC for TBS.
Master of ceremonies: Comedian Conan O'Brien smashes a gavel as he speaks during the media gala
Brutally honest: The late-night funnyman took swipes at CNN and Fox News before paying homage to the people of Boston
Speaking about the polarized media landscape, O’Brien noted that Fox is watched by conservatives, MSNBC by liberals and CNN by 'the people who clean the offices of CNN.'
The funnyman also took a swipe at the British CNN host Piers Morgan, joking: 'They replaced the popular Larry King with a second footman from Downton Abbey.'
Like the president in his speech, O'Brien, who is a Boston native, spoke about the tragedy and thanked Obama for visiting the city and sharing inspiring words.
‘If you’re going to pick a city to mess with, don’t choose one where nine out of ten people are related to a cop,’ O’Brien quipped.
Order in the court: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia (second right) attends the White House Correspondents Association Dinner
Party of rivals: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and his wife Calista Gingrich (left) were on hand along with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and actress Barabara Streisand (right)