Some people think Michelle Wolf was too “mean” while hosting the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and Twitter isn’t having it
It’s a truth (almost) universally acknowledged that the White House Correspondents’ dinner is filled with a lot of roasting. Usually, this includes the president, but — for the second year in a row — Donald Trump refused to attend the event. However, comedian and host Michelle Wolf didn’t hold back with her remarks. And unsurprisingly, the reaction to Michelle Wolf is definitely mixed.
The Daily Show correspondent launched her performance with a direct hit to Trump. She also included roasts of CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. And, while a majority of the jokes focused on conservatives, Wolf definitely dropped bombshells on both sides of the aisle.
“I think what no one in this room wants to admit is that Trump has helped all of you,” Wolf said during the WHCD. “He couldn’t sell steaks, or vodka, or water, or college, or ties, or Eric. But he has helped you sell your papers, and books, and TV. You helped create this monster and now you’re profiting off of him.”
Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer tweeted that the event was a “disgrace,” and Trump called it “a very big, boring bust…the so-called comedian really “bombed.”
However, much of the negative reaction to Michelle Wolf centers around her heavy criticism of Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Michelle Wolf destroys Sarah Huckabee Sanders at #WHCD pic.twitter.com/pKGSSOCu8d
— Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) April 29, 2018
But people on Twitter pointed out that much of the negative reaction to Wolf’s performance is a major double standard.
With Trump’s history of mocking people with disabilities, making racist comments, and displaying troubling behavior toward women, many are saying that it’s ironic how a comedian is being held to a higher standard than the president. And honestly? We kind of agree.
Twitter clapped back hard at those who said Michelle Wolf’s comments went “too far.”
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/990453309558341632
a venn diagram of men offended by michelle wolf joking about sarah sanders smoky eye and men who’ve told women they should wear more makeup is a perfect circle.
— Marisa Kabas (@MarisaKabas) April 29, 2018
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“Michelle Wolf was so mean for making fun of Sarah Huckabee Sanders makeup and she is horrible”
– Those who call Michelle Obama a man
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) April 29, 2018
Regardless of whether you liked Michelle Wolf or not, if you're angrier about the vulgarity from a comedian than you are about the vulgarity from a President, you should take a time out and think about your priorities.
— Jesse Ferguson (@JesseFFerguson) April 29, 2018
Even Wolf herself is already defending her jokes.
Hey mags! All these jokes were about her despicable behavior. Sounds like you have some thoughts about her looks though? 😘 https://t.co/JRzzvhBuey
— Michelle Wolf (@michelleisawolf) April 29, 2018
Why are you guys making this about Sarah’s looks? I said she burns facts and uses the ash to create a *perfect* smoky eye. I complimented her eye makeup and her ingenuity of materials. https://t.co/slII9TYdYx
— Michelle Wolf (@michelleisawolf) April 29, 2018
Many headlines continue to focus on whether or not people find Wolf’s comments to be offensive.
However, we think it’s important to point out that she ended her speech with pure fire by reminding everyone that Flint still doesn’t have clean water. She’s right: Too many communities don’t have access to clean drinking water, and the water crisis in Flint, Michigan is far from over. false
We can only hope that the reaction to Michelle Wolf expands to focus on more important issues like this one. Because, honestly, it’s time we hold our president to a higher standard than a comedian.