Why Trump sitting out the correspondents’ dinner is a huuuge mistake

Please, President Trump, we really need a good laugh!

The White House correspondents’ dinner (WHCD) is this weekend, which means liberals and conservatives will come together to hear the leader of the free world make fun of himself and let someone roast him in return.

{mosads}Sounds like a great time. Sign me up.

 

But President Trump, along with news outlets and celebrities, has said no thank you. He will not make jokes and jokes will not be made at his expense (in his presence).

His decision is disappointing for us and for his approval ratings. Some self-deprecating humor and good ‘ole fashioned roasting would have served him well. Every opportunity to smile and make light of current events is a good time, especially now. Our country is deeply divided, violence against free speech is multiplying, terrorism looms, and the pace on Capitol Hill is dizzying. 

We crave levity, and I hear laughter is the best medicine.

Because we won’t find (as many) laughs at this year’s WHCD, let’s review a few of the best moments from past dinners and understand why self-deprecating humor and the ability to take a joke heals all wounds.

Self-Deprecating Humor

Humor and speeches like those at the WHCD spike presidential approval ratings because they provide access to personalities we don’t see and make powerful people seem “just like us!.” 

One speech writer for Bill Clinton pointed out, “Humour is an X-ray into a person’s mind — once you know what makes someone laugh, you know how their brain works.” 

President Trump has refused us this insight since at least 2011 when Seth Myers slammed him at the WHCD (fast forward to 12:03) and Trump sat stone-faced.

President Trump’s inability to laugh at himself only underscores the accusation that his skin is very thin. Thin skin isn’t attractive to your voters or your political opponents; you gain zero points by refusing to be the butt of a joke.

Both Obama and Reagan understood this. Even though Obama preferred people not make fun of him, he willingly made fun of himself.

At the 2013 WHCD,  he highlighted his “administration’s notoriously faulty rollout of HealthCare.Gov, which Obama himself called ‘a well-documented disaster.’ At the Dinner, he introduced a video clip about the website, which much like HealthCare.Gov, stalled when he hit play. Obama joked that his slogan had changed from ‘Yes We Can’ to ‘Ctrl-Alt-Del.’”

You may not agree with his policies, but you can’t deny his comedic timing.

The “well-documented disaster” that is HealthCare.gov is a serious issue, but Reagan taught us that you can also make fun of a failed assassination attempt when you’re the target. He missed the 1981 WHCD because he was recovering at Camp David, but still called in to make fun of himself:

President Reagan: I know that Cliff Evans must be there somewhere.

Mr. Pierpoint: Yes.

Reagan: And, Cliff, let me send my congratulations to you as one new president to another. If you enjoy your office as much as I do mine, you’ll be a very happy and fulfilled man.

Mr. Evans: Well, you stay well, Mr. President, and we’ll take care of the pressroom, Pierpoint and I and all of my colleagues. Stay well.

Reagan: Okay. If I could give you just one little bit of advice, when somebody tells you to get in a car quick, do it. [Laughter]

If Reagan can call in and make fun of himself almost losing his life, surely President Trump can show up and take a few jokes at his own expense. If he cares about his approval ratings like he says he does, his absence is confusing. Show up, tell a joke, gain a few points.

Roasting

Let’s try to understand where President Trump is coming from for a moment. We’re talking about an event that gives air time to those who hate Trump and don’t play by the rules. Whether the mic is occupied by the mainstream media or a token celebrity, it’s personal. 

As the Media Research Center pointed out, the coverage of President Trump has been largely negative. In fact, in their latest study of the first 30 days of Trump’s presidency, they determined 88 percent of broadcasts have been hostile. As Trump would say, “It’s been unfair. They’ve been very unfair to me.”

It’s understandable why he might not jump at the chance to sit in a room full of people who don’t like him and have no problem telling him so, but he’s not the first president in the history of our great republic to suffer low approval ratings and show up any way.

President George W. Bush never refused the invite and used humor to his advantage.

In 2005, he and Laura organized a bit where she interrupted his speech and proceeded to make fun of her husband: 

“George and I are complete opposites.

I’m quiet, he’s talkative.

I’m introverted, he’s extroverted.

I can pronounce nuclear…”

Not only did we get to hear from the first lady who intentionally stayed away from the spotlight, but we laughed with her at George’s expense. It was a bonding moment between her and the American people, and it worked.

Melania Trump can do this too, but instead of “nuclear” insert “bigly” or “tremendous” or any one of his public speaking ticks. I’m convinced that this bit would improve the President and Mrs. Trump’s likability by several percentage points.

Sure, it’s not fun to be the subject of a roast. Failures are broadcasted and decisions are criticized, but the President is allowed to return the favor. The mainstream media and Hollywood will roast you, and they might be really mean. But then it’s your turn.

At the 2013 WHCD, Obama walked out to “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled and said, “Rush Limbaugh warned you about this. Second term, baby.”

And we all know that Trump has plenty of material to throw at the MSM. He should capitalize on this rare moment, hire a great writer who can tell jokes, and deliver the stand-up comedy routine of his life. 

People like you when they feel like they know you. Making fun of yourself, taking a joke, and participating in a friendly roast allow voters this rare glimpse into what it might be like to “have a beer” with you, the ultimate test of likability. 

The White House correspondents’ dinner used to be the hottest ticket in town, now it’s become the event to avoid. Here’s hoping this trend doesn’t continue, because we need more, not fewer, opportunities to laugh—President Trump included.

Beverly Hallberg (@BevHallberg) is the president and founder of District Media Group. She is also a visiting fellow in communications at The Heritage Foundation and 2016 winner of the William F. Buckley Award.

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