'High Five!' Obama bites Trump, Hillary & Bernie at his final Washington correspondents' dinner
In his final address at the White House correspondents' dinner Obama lived up to his reputation as a top-notch jokester, making cracks about Republican front-runner Donald Trump and Democratic presidential hopefuls Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton.
"You know I’m gonna talk about Trump!" Obama told the crow of glitzy guests at the black-tie event that brought together journalists, media moguls, Capitol Hill power brokers and Hollywood stars.
“Although I'm a little hurt that he is not here tonight. We had so much fun the last time," Obama said referring to the same event in 2011, during which Trump was present.
This time around the billionaire businessman decided not to attend the event.
“And it is surprising,” Obama noted. “You got a room full of reporters, celebrities, cameras and he says ‘no.’ Is this dinner too tacky for The Donald. What could he possibly be doing instead? Is he at home, eating a ‘Trump Steak’, tweeting out insults to Angela Merkel? What is he doing?” Obama wisecracked.
"The Republican establishment is incredulous that he's their most likely nominee. Incredulous. Shocking."
"They say Donald lacks the foreign policy experience to be president,” Obama said. “But in fairness he has spent years meeting with leaders from around the world: Miss Sweden, Miss Argentina, Miss Azerbaijan," he added, referring to contestants in the Miss Universe beauty pageant that Trump co-owned in the past.
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"And there's one area where Donald's experience could be invaluable and that's closing Guantanamo, because Trump knows a thing or two about running waterfront properties into the ground," the US president jibed.
"8 years ago, I said it was time to change the tone of our politics. In hindsight, I clearly should have been more specific." —@POTUS#WHCD
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) 1 мая 2016 г.
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who unlike Trump attended the event, also had a chance to get a taste of Obama's cracks. Obama described the 74-year-old Senator from Vermont as “the bright new face of the Democratic party.”
"Bernie, you look like a million bucks. Or, to put in terms you will understand, you look like 37,000 donations of $27 each," the outgoing jokester said, referring to a zillion small contributions to Mr Sanders' campaign.
"I am hurt though, Bernie, that you have distanced yourself from me. That's not something that you do to your comrade."
"Bernie’s slogan has helped his campaign catch fire among young people. 'Feel the Bern.' Feel the Bern. It’s a good slogan. Hilary’s slogan has not had the same effect. Look, I’ve said how much I admire Hilary’s toughness, her smarts, her policy chops, her experience," Obama said.
"You’ve got to admit it though, Hilary, trying to appeal to young voters is a little bit like your relative signing up for Facebook. 'Dear America, Did you get my poke? Is it appearing on your wall? I’m not sure I’m using this right. Love, Aunt Hilary.' It’s not entirely persuasive.
"Even some foreign leaders have been giving me grief. Last week, Prince George showed up to our meeting in his bathrobe." —@POTUS#WHCD
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) 1 мая 2016 г.
Obama reflected on his more than seven years in office, saying he was “a young man, full of idealism and vigor” before he became president.
“...And look at me now: I am grey, grizzled, just counting down the days till my death panel.”
“Hillary once questioned whether I’d be ready for a 3am phone call,” he went on. “No, I’m awake anyway, because I gotta go to the bathroom! I’m up,” the US president revealed.
During his half-hour speech, Obama also made fun of his final year, when his approval ratings had been on the rise. “In my final year, my approval ratings keep going up. The last time I was this high, I was trying to decide on my major,” he recalled, drawing laughs from the savvy audience.
