Historian Ron Chernow poked fun at politicians at the White House Correspondents' Dinner with some help from Mark Twain


Don't let stereotypes fool you — historians can be funny, too.
The White House Correspondents' Association broke with tradition this year when they asked a non-comedian to deliver the keynote address at the White House Correspondents' dinner on Saturday evening. Instead, historian Ron Chernow, who wrote the Alexander Hamilton biography that inspired the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, addressed the crowd. Chernow has also written books about former presidents George Washington and Ulysses S. Grant, so he knows a thing or two about the office.
While the event was reportedly more serious than in years past, with Chernow and other speakers talking poingantly about press freedom, Chernow found the time to crack a few jokes, as well. They mostly came in the form of subtle jabs at President Trump, who did not attend the event for the third street year. He was in Green Bay, Wisconsin, at a rally for Trump supporters, instead.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
One of Chernow's strongest jokes was a veiled dig at Trump's reported befuddlement over the fact that Washington did not name Mount Vernon after himself.
Chernow closed his speech with a remark from the king of quips himself, Mark Twain. In this instance, it seems like Trump was far from the only target. Tim O'Donnell
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
'Immigrant' Superman film raises hackles on the right
TALKING POINT Director James Gunn's comments about the iconic superhero's origins and values have rankled conservatives who embrace the Trump administration's strict anti-immigrant agenda
-
Scientists and Peter Jackson attempt to bring back an extinct bird — kind of
In the Spotlight Colossal Biosciences was the company behind the 'resurrected' dire wolves
-
'Alaska has the resources, but America needs the will'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump threatens Brazil with 50% tariffs
Speed Read He accused Brazil's current president of leading a 'witch hunt' against far-right former leader Jair Bolsonaro
-
AI scammer fakes Rubio messages to top officials
Speed Read The unknown individual mimicked Rubio in voice and text messages sent to multiple government officials
-
SCOTUS greenlights Trump's federal firings
speed read The Trump administration can conduct mass federal firings without Congress' permission, the Supreme Court ruled
-
New tariffs set on 14 trading partners
Speed Read A new slate of tariffs will begin August 1 on imports from Japan, South Korea, Thailand and more
-
Elon Musk launching 'America Party'
Speed Read The tech mogul promised to form a new political party if Trump's megabill passed Congress
-
Judge blocks Trump's asylum ban at US border
Speed Read The president violated federal law by shutting down the US-Mexico border to asylum seekers, said the ruling
-
Thai court suspends prime minister over leaked call
Speed Read Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended, pending an ethics investigation
-
Senate passes GOP megabill after Alaska side deal
The pivotal yes vote came from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose support was secured following negotiated side deals for her home state Alaska