Correspondents’ Association denounces Michelle Wolf speech

The White House Correspondents’ Association has joined in on the criticism of comedian Michelle Wolf, releasing a statement Sunday denouncing her routine.

“Last night’s program was meant to offer a unifying message about our common commitment to a vigorous and free press while honoring civility, great reporting and scholarship winners, not to divide people,” said WHCA president Margaret Talev.

“Unfortunately, the entertainer’s monologue was not in the spirit of that mission.”

Talev, a reporter for Bloomberg News, wrote that many journalists in attendance Saturday night for the annual correspondents’ dinner reached out to her and expressed their “dismay” at Wolf’s monologue, which was widely panned by people on both sides of the aisle.

The former “Daily Show” writer at times targeted White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and her appearance — saying things like, “She burns facts and then she uses that ash to create a perfect smokey eye.”

“Every day we are working hard to advocate for our members and ensure coverage that benefits the public, and the dinner is an important opportunity to highlight and maintain our essential work,” Talev said. “The White House Correspondents’ Association remains dedicated to that mission.”

The association leader did, however, defend her decision to have Wolf perform while speaking to CNN on Sunday — claiming her jokes were not screened.

“Her goal might not have been press unity and everyone rallying around the room to support journalism,” Talev said. “But, look — I invited her. And I invited her because I thought that she was a talented comedian with a message to deliver.”