Key takeaways:

• Amber Ruffin was set to headline the White House Correspondents' Dinner but has been canceled following backlash from the Trump administration.
• The WHCA aims to refocus the event on honoring journalistic excellence amidst escalating tensions.
• This year's dinner will not feature a comedian for the first time since 2019, signaling a significant shift.

The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) has announced that Amber Ruffin, a well-known comedian and writer for NBC’s "Late Night with Seth Meyers," will not be the headline performer at their annual dinner scheduled for April 26. This decision follows significant backlash from the Trump administration pertaining to Ruffin's previous critiques of President Donald Trump.

In a letter to WHCA members, President Eugene Daniels emphasized the board’s unanimous decision to omit the comedic performance, stating, "At this consequential moment for journalism, I want to ensure the focus is not on the politics of division but entirely on awarding our colleagues for their outstanding work and providing scholarship and mentorship to the next generation of journalists." This cancellation reflects the ongoing tensions between the WHCA and the Trump administration, particularly regarding media access and coverage of presidential events.

Ruffin’s appearance had been initially announced in early February, and she expressed her belief that the event's climate was not conducive to balanced comedic critique. She stated during an interview that being asked to joke about both political sides was unacceptable for her.Newsweek reported that Ruffin had confidently criticized the idea of giving equal standing to both political parties when addressing today’s pressing issues, saying, "There's no way I'm going to be freaking doing that, dude, under no circumstances."

This significant shift places the April dinner outside of its traditional framework, historically marked by comedic performances that often target political figures. The WHCA has faced challenges including the White House's growing insistence on controlling media access and coverage practices, with recent moves indicating a desire to chip away at the association's long-held authority. Notably, the White House has also restricted the Associated Press’s access to certain presidential engagements after the organization refused to comply with directives to alter its terminology regarding the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America."

Despite the changing dynamics, Daniels assured members that more details about the evening's new format will be shared as the event date approaches. BBC has reported that this marks a significant departure for an annual gala that has served as a cornerstone of U.S. political and media blending since 1921.

For complete coverage of the cancellation and its implications, please visit The Hill and NPR.