Obama's last standup: Correspondents' dinner gives president final chance to zing Washington
Annual event was Obama's 8th — and last — as a sitting president
Even though U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife can't wait to get out of the White House, being a lame duck can hurt a guy.
"Last week Prince George showed up to our meeting in his bathrobe," Obama cracked at the White House correspondents' dinner Saturday night. "That was a slap in the face."
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Obama drew plenty of laughs with his barbed remarks to a ballroom filled with journalists, politicians, and movie and television stars.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau even earned a mention, when Obama quipped he was no longer the cool kid on the world leadership block after eight years in office.
"Somebody said to me recently: Mr. President, you are so yesterday. Justin Trudeau has completely replaced you. He's so handsome, he's so charming, he's the future.
"And I said: Justin, just give it a rest."
It was Obama's eighth appearance at the event and his last as president. TV host Larry Wilmore provided the professional comedy for the evening.
"If this material works well, I'm going to use it at Goldman Sachs next year," Obama said. "Earn me some serious Tubmans."
The president waxed nostalgic at times. "Eight years ago I said it was time to change the tone of our politics. In hindsight, I clearly should have been more specific."
And he acknowledged that the years had taken their toll. "I'm gray, grizzled … counting down the days to my death panel."
On the other hand, he pointed out that his approval ratings are up. "The last time I was this high," he said, "I was trying to decide on my major." When he said he couldn't explain the rise in his popularity, two photographs appeared on ballroom screens: Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.
Obama took a few more swipes at the presidential race, noting that "next year at this time someone else will be standing here in this very spot, and it's anyone's guess who she will be."
After calling presidential candidate Bernie Sanders the bright new face of the Democratic Party, Obama contrasted the slogan "Feel the Bern" with one he said was rival Hillary Clinton's: "Trudge Up the Hill."
Republicans took most of Obama's humorous broadsides. "Guests were asked to check whether they wanted steak or fish," he told the diners, "and instead a whole bunch of you wrote in Paul Ryan."
Obama said of the billionaire businessman and real estate mogul leading the GOP race: "He has spent years meeting with leaders from around the world — Miss Sweden, Miss Argentina, Miss Azerbaijan."
He added: "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."
Turning serious at the end of his remarks, the president thanked the White House press corps and praised a free press.
"I just have two more words to say: Obama out." With that, he held out the mic and dropped it.
As usual, the Washington Hilton ballroom was a celebrity-spotters dream. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders joined Vice-President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry and other government officials taking a seat. Also on hand were Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Republican front-runner Donald Trump, a regular in recent years, was absent this time, but a son and daughter-in-law, Donald Jr. and Vanessa Trump, were spotted on the red carpet.
Among the film and television performers at the event were Oscar winners Helen Mirren and Jared Leto, Breaking Bad actor Bryan Cranston, Independence Day stars Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum, actor Rachel McAdams, and Night Manager miniseries star Tom Hiddleston.
Proceeds from the dinner go toward journalism scholarships and reporting awards.