Maribel Perez Wadsworth, publisher of USA Today, said the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner has "lost its way" and must change.
Her comments came in a letter to Margaret Talev, president of the association. USA Today posted the letter on Monday evening.
Comedian Michelle Wolf has come under heavy criticism for her routine at Saturday's dinner, which included attacks on members of the Trump administration. Some in the audience slammed her routine as offensive.
"I realize that this is not the first time a speaker at the dinner has sparked controversy, Wadsworth said in her letter. "We, however, should not be the controversy.
"Some have said that showcasing Michelle Wolf is a celebration of the First Amendment. It is true that we are committed champions of free speech and all the vital freedoms afforded us by the First Amendment. But that’s too simplistic in this context, isn’t it? In truth, Ms. Wolf represents one point of view, and it is her right to share it. But should we in the press be the ones to give her the stage?
"Is it appropriate that we invite a celebrity to launch a relentless, and often vulgar, attack on the very people we cover? As if we can go back the next day to don our cloak of impartiality and all is well?"
She maintained journalists’ ethical code demands better.
"Therein lies my deeply held conviction that the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has lost its way," she said.
"What followed was not reflective of our highest ideals as journalists. It served only to undermine our credibility. To be clear: The tenor and format of the event must change. I know you agree our credibility is far too important to compromise over a 20-minute abdication of the high road and a few cheap laughs."
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.