JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images President Obama at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday.
President Obama went on the attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday — savagely skewering Republicans, the media and even himself.
“I admit it, last year was rough,” Obama said. “Sheesh. At one point, things got so bad the 47% called Mitt Romney to apologize.”
Obama then turned the tables on reporters, calling out the collection of NBC reporters on hand.
“They’ve never seen an audience this big before,” the president quipped.
But not surprisingly, Obama reserved his sharpest barbs for the conservative Fox News.
“The Koch brothers bought a table here tonight,” Obama said, “but as usual they used a shadowy right-wing organization as a front. Hello, Fox News.”
Next up on Obama’s hit list was House Speaker John Boehner.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP Actor and comedian Joel McHale, star of the NBC series ‘Community,’ speaks with First Lady Michelle Obama during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. “I’m feeling sorry for the Speaker of the House as well,” Obama said. “The House Republicans actually give John Boehner a harder time than they give me. I guess orange really is the new black.”
The black-tie joke-fest and scholarship dinner — Washington’s most glamorous annual event — drew a constellation of stars to the capital.
There was actress Sofia Vergara in a hip-hugging white gown and singer Jessica Simpson was looking radiant in a low-cut floral print dress.
A stunning Lupita Nyong’o sashayed across the red carpet in a black dress with white and gray polka dots.
As usual, the gala at the Washington Hilton — attended by A-list celebs, journalists and politicians — also brought together some unlikely figures.
The Rev. Al Sharpton was photographed mugging with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Talk show host Katie Couric posed with NBA great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — just barely reaching his waist.
Among the other bold-faced names in attendance were: actresses Naomi Watts, Frieda Pinto and Diane Lane; skier Lindsey Vonn; and singer Katharine McPhee.
Also seen hobnobbing at the dinner were talk titan Barbara Walters, hip-hop star Will.i.am, Hollywood bigshot Harvey Weinstein and actor Patrick Stewart.