Some journalists say comedian Michelle Wolf went too far with the jabs she took at White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday night, the Hill reports.
“The spirit of the event had always been jokes that singe but don’t burn,” tweeted NBC White House correspondent Kelly O’Donnell.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think we advanced the cause of journalism tonight,” added New York Times reporter Peter Baker.
“Michelle Wolf didn’t fail just because she was (spectacularly) one-sided. It was because she was unnecessarily cruel on a night the WHCA was trying to showcase decency and purpose,” said Politico reporter Kyle Cheney.
Sanders attended the event in place of President Donald Trump, who opted to skip the dinner for the second year in a row. Wolf during her routine commented on Sanders' appearance, criticized her job performance and her Southern roots.
"I have to say I'm a little starstruck," Wolf joked as she compared Sanders to “The Handmaid’s Tale” character Aunt Lydia.
"I actually really like Sarah. I think she’s very resourceful," Wolf said. "She burns facts and then she uses that ash to create a perfect smoky eye. Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s lies. It’s probably lies."
"I'm never really sure what to call Sarah Huckabee Sanders," the comedian continued. "Is it Sarah Sanders? Is it Sarah Huckabee Sanders? Is it Cousin Huckabee? Is it Auntie Huckabee Sanders? Like, what's Uncle Tom but for white women who disappoint other white women?"
Some journalists called on Wolf to apologize to Sanders, including NBC News reporter Andrea Mitchell.
"Apology is owed to @PressSec and others grossly insulted by Michelle Wolf at White House Correspondents Assoc dinner which started with uplifting heartfelt speech by @margarettalev - comedian was worst since Imus insulted Clinton’s," Mitchell tweeted.
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