US President Joe Biden had to endure jokes about his age with the press at the traditional gala dinner on Saturday – and in turn countered with taunts.
“Daily Show” correspondent Roy Wood Jr. joked on the occasion of the renewed candidacy of the 80-year-old that he could possibly still be president at 86 – while in France there are protests against raising the retirement age to 64.
In France, people would “riot because they don’t want to work until 64. Meanwhile, in America, we have an 80-year-old man who is asking us to work four more years,” Wood said. Biden’s motto “Let’s get the job done” is not a campaign slogan, but a request, Wood emphasized at the event in a Washington hotel.
For his part, Biden taunted 92-year-old media mogul and owner of conservative Fox News television network Rupert Murdoch. “You might think I don’t like Rupert Murdoch, but I don’t,” Biden said. “How could I not like someone who makes me look like Harry Styles?” he joked, referring to the 29-year-old British pop star.
The press gala is traditionally an occasion to make fun of the US President. But this year’s event, which was completely sold out with 2,600 guests, was also a serious affair, and defending freedom of the press was an important topic.
Biden had previously met the family of US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was jailed in Russia on espionage charges. “We are working every day to secure his release,” Biden said. “We are looking for ways (…) to bring him home, we remain confident.”
Among the guests of honor at the gala dinner was US basketball player Brittney Griner, who was released in a prisoner exchange last year after serving ten months in Russia. (AFP)
