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AP Photo White House to skip Correspondents' Dinner

No White House staff will attend next month’s White House Correspondents' Dinner in “solidarity” with their boss, Donald Trump, who is the first president to skip the dinner in decades.

"The White House informed the White House Correspondents’ Association this evening that White House staff will not be attending this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner out of “solidarity” with President Trump, who has previously announced that he would skip the event,” WHCA President Jeff Mason said in a letter sent to the organization.

"The WHCA board regrets this decision very much. We have worked hard to build a constructive relationship with the Trump White House and believe strongly that this goal is possible even with the natural tension between the press and administrations that is a hallmark of a healthy republic. We made clear in our meeting tonight that President Trump, Vice President Pence, and White House staff continue to be welcome to join us at this dinner.”

Trump announced in February he would be skipping the annual dinner, an occasion to present awards to journalists, give scholarships to students and show respect for the presidency. But the question remained whether Pence or any other White House staff would attend. Typically, the White House press secretary sits on the front dais along with the members of the WHCA, the president, first lady and the night’s entertainment.

As a result of the president not attending the dinner, there will also be no Secret Service protection or security for other dignitaries who may attend. In a short interview, Mason said the WHCA and the hotel will provide the necessary security.

The night’s entertainment is also up in the air. No entertainer has been announced when in previous years, the entertainers were often announced, at the latest, in February. One late-night host, James Corden, was offered the position but turned it down. There’s also the possibility the association will choose not to tap a comedian, or not to have any entertainment at all.

"I don’t have anything to update on that but, stay tuned, it shouldn’t be too long now,” Mason said.

This year’s WHCD will look a lot different than past dinners. Many of the high-profile events surrounding the dinner, hosted by the likes of Vanity Fair, Bloomberg, The New Yorker, and Time/People magazines have been canceled. Some outlets are not attending, while others are inviting journalism students instead of politicos and celebrities.

"Only the White House can speak to the signal it wants to send with this decision,” Mason wrote in the letter. "But our signal is clear: We will celebrate the First Amendment on April 29 and look forward to acknowledging the important work of our terrific members and awarding scholarships to students who represent the next generation of our profession."