US President George W. Bush, left, waves with impressionist Steve Bridges at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in 2006.
In pictures: The history of the White House Correspondents' Dinner
US President George W. Bush, left, waves with impressionist Steve Bridges at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in 2006.
Roger L. Wollenberg/Pool/Getty Images

Published 12:37 PM EDT, Fri April 29, 2022

After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the White House Correspondents' Dinner returns on Saturday night.

President Joe Biden will be speaking at the annual event, which was started in 1921 by journalists who cover the White House.

"Presidents have been attending since 1924 — with only one exception — to demonstrate a mutual respect for the First Amendment," said Steven Portnoy, president of the White House Correspondents' Association and a CBS News White House correspondent.

Donald Trump is the only President who never attended while in office. But he had attended in previous years as a guest.

The dinner is known for its laughs and lighthearted moments. In more recent years, they have featured a speaker — usually a comedian — roasting the commander in chief.

CNN will air special coverage of the White House Correspondents' Dinner from 7-11 p.m. ET on Saturday night. It will be anchored by John Berman and Brianna Keilar in Washington, DC.

The White House Correspondents' Dinner is held in 1923. It was started two years earlier by the White House Correspondents' Association, the organization of journalists who cover the president. In 1924, Calvin Coolidge became the first president to attend the dinner.
The White House Correspondents' Dinner is held in 1923. It was started two years earlier by the White House Correspondents' Association, the organization of journalists who cover the president. In 1924, Calvin Coolidge became the first president to attend the dinner.
Library of Congress
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, seated, shakes hands with Raymond P. Brandt, chief of the Washington bureau of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, at the 1945 dinner. Roosevelt was congratulating Brandt for winning the first Raymond Clapper Memorial Award, which was given by the White House Correspondents' Association for distinguished reporting.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, seated, shakes hands with Raymond P. Brandt, chief of the Washington bureau of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, at the 1945 dinner. Roosevelt was congratulating Brandt for winning the first Raymond Clapper Memorial Award, which was given by the White House Correspondents' Association for distinguished reporting.
Gil Friedberg/AP
President Harry Truman, second from left, presents a $500 check to Peter Edson, second from right, for winning the Raymond Clapper Memorial Award in 1949.
President Harry Truman, second from left, presents a $500 check to Peter Edson, second from right, for winning the Raymond Clapper Memorial Award in 1949.
AP
Legendary golfer Bobby Jones, left, presents a duplicate of his famous putter, Calamity Jane, to President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the dinner in 1959. In the center is Felix Belair Jr. of The New York Times.
Legendary golfer Bobby Jones, left, presents a duplicate of his famous putter, Calamity Jane, to President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the dinner in 1959. In the center is Felix Belair Jr. of The New York Times.
AP
President Richard Nixon shakes hands with US Navy Lt. Cmdr. John McCain at the dinner in 1973. Just a month earlier, McCain had been released from a Vietnamese prison after being a prisoner of war for over five years.
President Richard Nixon shakes hands with US Navy Lt. Cmdr. John McCain at the dinner in 1973. Just a month earlier, McCain had been released from a Vietnamese prison after being a prisoner of war for over five years.
National Archives
Until 1962, the correspondents' dinner was open to just men. President John F. Kennedy, center, refused to attend until it was opened to women.
Until 1962, the correspondents' dinner was open to just men. President John F. Kennedy, center, refused to attend until it was opened to women.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
President Gerald Ford, right, speaks with comedian Chevy Chase, left, in 1976. Chase famously portrayed Ford as clumsy on "Saturday Night Live." Between the two, from left, are "Saturday Night Live" creator Lorne Michaels and cast members Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi.
President Gerald Ford, right, speaks with comedian Chevy Chase, left, in 1976. Chase famously portrayed Ford as clumsy on "Saturday Night Live." Between the two, from left, are "Saturday Night Live" creator Lorne Michaels and cast members Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi.
Fred Hermansky/NBCUniversal/Getty Images
Ford laughs with Helen Thomas, a White House correspondent with United Press International, at the 1975 dinner. Thomas was the first female president of the White House Correspondents' Association.
Ford laughs with Helen Thomas, a White House correspondent with United Press International, at the 1975 dinner. Thomas was the first female president of the White House Correspondents' Association.
National Archives
President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter chat with Paul Healy, right, of the New York Daily News and Lawrence O'Rourke, left, of the Philadelphia Bulletin as they arrive to the dinner in 1977. Healy was the new president of the White House Correspondents' Association, and O'Rourke was its outgoing president.
President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter chat with Paul Healy, right, of the New York Daily News and Lawrence O'Rourke, left, of the Philadelphia Bulletin as they arrive to the dinner in 1977. Healy was the new president of the White House Correspondents' Association, and O'Rourke was its outgoing president.
John Duricka/AP
At the 1987 dinner, President Ronald Reagan called up his wife, Nancy, to say a few kind words to the press. After a pause she responded, "I'm thinking."
At the 1987 dinner, President Ronald Reagan called up his wife, Nancy, to say a few kind words to the press. After a pause she responded, "I'm thinking."
Charles Tasnadi/AP
President George H.W. Bush laughs while watching Jim Morris do an impression of him at the 1989 dinner.
President George H.W. Bush laughs while watching Jim Morris do an impression of him at the 1989 dinner.
Mark Reinstein/Corbis/Getty Images
President Bill Clinton holds a placard proclaiming, "Don't blame me. I voted for me," at the dinner in 1996. Clinton was auditioning some potential slogans for bumper stickers.
President Bill Clinton holds a placard proclaiming, "Don't blame me. I voted for me," at the dinner in 1996. Clinton was auditioning some potential slogans for bumper stickers.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Clinton high-fives a "clone" of him played by actor Darrell Hammond in 1997.
Clinton high-fives a "clone" of him played by actor Darrell Hammond in 1997.
Stephen Jaffe/AFP/Getty Images
President George W. Bush conducts the Marine Corps Band during the dinner in 2008.
President George W. Bush conducts the Marine Corps Band during the dinner in 2008.
Kristoffer Tripplaar/Pool/Getty Images
Comedian Keegan-Michael Key plays President Barack Obama's "anger translator" Luther in 2015.
Comedian Keegan-Michael Key plays President Barack Obama's "anger translator" Luther in 2015.
Yuri Gripas/AFP/Getty Images
Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, attend the correspondents' dinner in 2015. They didn't attend any of the dinners while he was President.
Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, attend the correspondents' dinner in 2015. They didn't attend any of the dinners while he was President.
Christy Bowe/ImageCatcher News Service/Corbis/Getty Images
Obama drops the mic after speaking at his last correspondents' dinner in 2016. "Obama out," he said.
Obama drops the mic after speaking at his last correspondents' dinner in 2016. "Obama out," he said.
Olivier Douliery/Pool/Getty Images