Michelle Wolf on the Amber Ruffin White House Correspondents’ Dinner Controversy and the ‘Failures of Current Journalism’

Michelle Wolf has some tough words for the White House Correspondents’ Association.

The comedian who was distanced from by a journalistic group following his performance at the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and who also shares friendship and past collaborations in the writers’ room with Amber Ruffin on “Late Night With Seth Meyers”, had his headlining spot for the April 26 dinner of the Correspondents’ Association cancelled this year. The association opted to not have any comedian perform, citing a desire to keep the focus away from divisive politics under the Trump administration during its second term. This decision was seen as an indication of the pressure faced by comedians and professional organizations under a confident President Trump.

residing in Barcelona at present, Wolf intends to unveil a 15-minute sequel to her 2018 comedy set on PunchUp on April 24th. On this platform, she also manages a weekly podcast called “Thought Box,” where she delivers live comedy performances across Europe. The upcoming sequel, titled “Dinner Time,” will feature Wolf’s unfiltered reflections about the events of 2018, as she claims that she won’t be bound by the constraints of Netflix. In this piece, she expresses her viewpoint that the media isn’t safeguarding Trump but themselves, due to their alliance with him for drama and the ratings it generates.

Over Zoom, Wolf engaged in conversation with EbMaster, discussing topics ranging from Ruffin to her personal experiences at the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, humor in Europe, and advice for those contemplating a move abroad.

Did you follow the story of Amber Ruffin’s hiring and firing?

I have a strong affection for Amber. We collaborated on “Seth” in the past and remain friends till now. Initially, I found it intriguing that the Correspondents’ Association selected her, considering they were well aware Trump was president. And honestly, I wasn’t taken aback when they removed her from their ranks because they aim to maintain their connections. They want to avoid upsetting Trump.

It seems Amber had a knack for delivering both witty and honest remarks. However, from my personal encounters with the Correspondents’ Association, it appears they might have been concerned about the truth that could be exposed regarding them, as well as the flaws in contemporary journalism, which are substantial and detrimental to society. It’s almost as if everything has turned into entertainment; there’s hardly anyone simply reporting events anymore. CNN often comes across as pleading for viewers because they’re losing ad revenue.

Do you think that was why you received so much blowback — including from the White House Correspondents’ Association — in 2018? Because you were direct about the failures of journalism?

It seems to me they intended the joke regarding Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ smoky eye to serve as a diversion, allowing people to focus less on what was actually said. In essence, they are criticizing Trump, yet they are all benefiting financially from him, and they’re all in cahoots.

This is drama.” She played the role of the antagonist at that time, and Jeff appreciated her because she boosted ratings.

They didn’t stand behind you; they pre-emptively fired Ruffin. From your perspective, why do they hire comedians at all, if they’re not interested in a comedian speaking truth?

This concept predates Stephen Colbert’s version, but it involved occasional playful jibes. Back then, people were quite courteous, but these days, politeness is scarce. Nowadays, delivering light jabs isn’t relevant or appropriate. If you want to prevent people from saying things that are harsh yet truthful – which is what makes them laugh the most – perhaps it’s best not to have a comedian. They will never openly state they don’t desire a comic; instead, they dislike someone revealing truths about them. However, it would be refreshing if they acknowledged this preference.

Have you reached out to Ruffin since her firing?

We conversed with her, and it was quite pleasant. Amber truly impresses me. She’d undoubtedly excel at the task. I’m hoping she intends to perform those hilarious jokes elsewhere.

Your move to Barcelona happened during the pandemic — and I believe you’ve said that it wasn’t a political choice.

To put it simply, I wasn’t here for political reasons at all. Initially, I only planned to stay for a brief period, but things unexpectedly prolonged, and then I found myself asking, “Can I perform stand-up comedy here?” This place has been fantastic for my stand-up career because there’s such a diverse crowd – people from various countries are just a couple of hours away. It’s broadened my perspective significantly.

Post-White House Correspondents’ Dinner, people may have viewed you as a political comedian first, but you cover all sorts of ground — and yet you still need to appeal to audiences in Spain or, on the road, across Europe. Has that been a big challenge?

It’s been truly astonishing to see how well everyone has grasped English, especially considering I find it challenging to master Spanish myself. What amazes me even more is their deep comprehension of our cultural nuances that allows them to appreciate and understand our humor.

In discussing our political landscape, it’s hard to ignore how influential and noisy it can be, impacting everyone around us. Given this, I believe there’s curiosity about my perspective on the matter. To begin with, I touch on some Trump-related topics briefly, but I prefer not to delve too deeply; it’s important to acknowledge its presence without focusing excessively on it.

Do European audiences see the absurdity of American politics more clearly than we might in the U.S.?

Absolutely. It seems to me that many Americans view this quite emotionally due to personal connections. On the other hand, Europeans can observe it more like a spectacle, maintaining some distance and thus recognizing its absurdity. Most people in both regions are aware that their countries are far from perfect.

Writing a new comedy set weekly feels like a unique challenge; I’m more accustomed to comedy podcasts in which people bring on their friends and just go around the horn.

I’ve piled on quite a bit of work for myself! I’m not particularly fond of lengthy podcasts. While I’m thrilled that many people enjoy them and earn from it, if I were to create a podcast, I’d prefer to make it as similar to stand-up comedy as possible. Essentially, I’m writing a weekly late-night show script, about 40 minutes long, with some personal anecdotes mixed in.

What advice would you give to people who are thinking of moving abroad?

Instead of expecting to find everything you’d typically get in U.S. stores at a single location, you might need to visit multiple shops when shopping in Spain. However, it’s important not to pine for America while there, but rather embrace the unique aspects of your current surroundings. Although Spain won’t have all the conveniences you appreciate about the U.S., it will offer experiences that surpass those found in the U.S. People here are noticeably more laid-back, and I must say, the quality of fresh produce is far superior.

Do you ever consider moving back full-time to the States?

I’m somewhat uncertain about that matter. As a parent, I fret over various aspects such as schools, gun control, and the quality of food. Spending time in the U.S., you can really notice a change in the food, which affects my health negatively. My child is more adapted to European cuisine, and I’ve noticed a difference in the ingredients used here and the absence of certain chemicals. These issues are primary concerns for me, but RFK Jr. promises to address them!

neither Jeff Zucker nor the White House Correspondents’ Association provided a response to EbMaster’s request for a comment, and this conversation has been adjusted and shortened.

2025-04-16 20:47