Biden during a speech at the Political Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington. Nathan Howard POOL | EFE
He defended the truth against political pundits to disarm “lies” like those that led to the 2021 attack on the Capitol.
“The free press is a pillar, perhaps the pillar, of a free society. He is not a criminal”. With this statement, Joe Biden distanced himself from the “poisonous” extremist press and the belligerence of his predecessor Donald Trumpwith critical journalism, during the annual correspondence gala from the White House.
Held at the Washington Hilton, following a tradition since 1924, the dinner on Saturday (early Sunday morning in Spain) brought together the President of the United States and Vice President Kamala Harris, with political chroniclers conducting informative monitoring of the Administration.
The hearing was the best for the Democratic leader, who was attending his first public appearance since announcing his candidacy Tuesday to seek another run for the Oval Office in 2024.
He reminded that he decided to vote because he believes that American democracy is still in danger and pointed out: “Truth matters”. It was his first veiled allusion to the misrepresentation practiced three years earlier by Trump and ultraconservative opinion leaders about Biden’s election victory that ended in an attack on the Capitol. “When lies are used to bury the truth, it is clear that you in a free press are more important than at any time in the last century,” he said.
In the silence of the respectful room, the president remembered the two journalists: Evan Gerskoviccorrespondent The Wall Street Journal detained in Moscow by the Russian authorities on charges of espionage, and a photojournalist Austin Tice, kidnapped in 2012 when he was going to report in Syria. The last images of the reporter belong to a video where he appears blindfolded surrounded by a group of men armed with rifles and grenade launchers.
His family is convinced that the Syrian authorities ordered his capture. “I’m working like crazy to get them home,” Biden revealedwho said his cabinet is discreet but active and working away from the spotlight to save the two professionals.
In the case of Gershkovich, who could end up in prison for 20 years if Russia finds him guilty, it is known that Washington is trying to free him in one of the prisoner exchanges between the Russian and Ukrainian armies. A settlement similar to the one reached in December with WNBA player Brittney Griner, who was normally present at the gala. However, the Kremlin was forthright in stating that journalists were not part of these exchange operations.
Spanish journalist Pablo González was also imprisoned for fourteen months because of the war, in his case in a Polish prison on charges of spying for Moscow. “We look for every opportunity and use all the tools at our disposal. As a nation we must never give up hope that things can change.”said Biden, before addressing the families of the two reporters in the room, who he asked to stand to receive the emotional tribute from the guests.
“Please keep the faith,” the president told them.
From Bob Hope to John Legend
The White House Correspondents’ Association event was attended by 2,600 guests. As usual, there were the least number of journalists who follow political information in Washington. On the other hand, among them were many business people, editors, publicists, VIPs and film, music and sports stars (John Legend, Liev Schreiber and Enes Freedom).
The political representation was numerous and included Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schummer, former White House Science Adviser Anthony Fauci and Attorney General William Barr. Even Trump’s former presidential advisers were invited.
It was, therefore, a huge gallery of characters, which was not unusual at a dinner that has been through numerous editions recorded the presence of Bob Hope, Ozzy Osbourne, Jay Leno, a couple consisting of Demi Moore and Ashton TuckerThe Kardashians, Ellen Degeneres (who just came out and ended up kissing her partner Anne Hache in front of Bill Clinton) and Barbra Streisand, who had a long talk with Colonel Colin Powell about homosexuality in the armed forces.
Source: La Vozde Galicia
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
