For those participating in Washington's social whirl leading up to the annual White House Correspondents Dinner, it's helpful to know some basic facts. There are plenty of TV anchors, reporters and talking heads carrying the current events. And inevitably you come across Bill Nye, the man of science.
A Georgetown resident and friendly supporter of everything about science, Nye was a festival fixture before dinner on Saturday.
First, there was the surprising news that the Trump administration, including the president himself, had no intention of attending the event. The appearance by scheduled host comedian Amber Ruffin was then cancelled after the association said it wanted to focus on celebrating journalism rather than “the politics of division.”
But something interesting happened in the middle of dinner. Not only did parties continue in Washington, they expanded to an array of morning breakfast, brunch and boozy bashes until morning.
Media consultant Tammy Haddad, who helped organize the two events, said there were more parties this year, adding that “politics took over the media” as new outlets acquired with more established publications.
“There's all these opportunities for ordinary people, people with political opinions to enhance themselves,” Haddad said. “That's why they're here.”
The real celebrities have been hard to spot any significant changes when Colin Jost of Saturday Night Live found dinner last year and attended the festival with his wife Scarlett Johansson. The closest brush to street fame came on Friday when “White Lotus” cast member Jason Isaacs arrived at a party hosted by the United Talent Agency.
Isaacs said he was in Washington as part of a group of actors who are lobbying for the continued funding of the National Fund for the Arts. “No one knows what their fate will be,” he said.
It was a line that could have been applied to the “White Lotus,” or the Washington Press Legion. This was in conflict with the White House during President Trump's first 100 days.
Former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio wrote hopeful notes to fellow Democrats at the Smithsonian American Museum and the National Portrait Gallery during a gala hosted by three-year-old media startup Semaphore.
“I think this is actually another milestone moment when people get their mojo back in those few days,” de Blasio said.
He stood with his girlfriend, Nomiki Const, an activist and political commentator. “I think people are looking for an alliance,” she said.
With a guest list of 1,000 people, the Semafor event was pinned to the World Economy Summit, a gathering of business leaders. The party was also soaked up with CNN anchors like Wolf Blitzer and Dana Bash. And Mr. Nye was snapping his fans and selfies.
Semafor editor Ben Smith explained the embarrassment of many Washington participants, which has changed. “This is mainly filled with people scanning the room for people who can tell you what's going on,” he said.
Nye, who wears the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to him by President Joseph R. Biden Jr., condemned the possibility of NASA's budget cuts. “Living is an extraordinary time,” he said.
Like the movie stars, there was a shortage of administrative staff, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took part in the interview at an event sponsored by Axios. Levitt defended the administration's handling of news media and criticised the White House Correspondents' board of directors, saying “we shouldn't tell who can enter the oval office and who will board the Air Force.”
Tourists wearing the president-signed Maga Cap stumbled upon the front door during Friday Happy Hour, hosted by Crooked Media at Café Riggs. Inside, the crew of “Pod Save America” sipping cocktails and thinking about past lives writing the president's remarks for the annual dinner.
John Lovett, former President Barack Obama's speechwriter, said part of the weekend “isn't making us define us as, we are, as declined, divided, sour, or life-saving, means or sour.”
“We need to be fun, fun, interesting and not afraid,” he said.
Thursday night party at the Fish Shop, Status, another young media company, attracted a crowd of reporters. Oliver Darcy, one of the founders, said no Trump officials were invited. “We want someone here to like the first fix,” he said.
As guests munch crab puffs and fried oysters, Washington Post media critic Eric Wemple calls a room full of reporters – drinking in hand – a “target-rich environment.”
“People come and gossip,” Wemple called the scene “very clubby,” adding, “If you're a media critic and don't make the effort that comes up in some of these events, you're really not at work.”
Other events had higher goals, including a Thursday gathering at Vital Voices, an organization that seeks to encourage female leaders and honor female journalists. At the highest-bed Aerie, named after Diane Von Furstenberg, MSNBC host and former Biden spokesman Jen Psaki lamented the decision not to attend Trump's dinner.
“I think it's important to show that you can joke,” she said. “And praise those who make fun of you and those who criticize you.”
At an event at City Tavern on Friday, Roger Lynch, CEO of Condé Nast, who sponsored the creative artist agency and party, noticed a headline on his phone regarding Attorney General Pam Bondy's efforts to remove press protections. (Mr. Nye was also present here.)
Lynch was asked if it was a good time to party.
“It's definitely the right time,” he said. “I think it's really important for journalists who cover DC to feel supported and protected.”
At UTA Party, a late-night event at Osteria Mozza, a spongy Italian restaurant in Georgetown, attendees from many other party reunited to challenge the titchat skills of those paid to talk.
CNN host Jake Tupper focused on the resignation of “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens over the conflict over journalist independence, explaining “a volatile and uneasy time in journalism.”
“I really don't know what to celebrate,” Tupper said.
Mr. Isaacs arrived with fellow actor Michael Chikris. A small number of elected officials, including Democrat Sen. Amy Kulbucher, pointed out that most politicians tend not to like how they are covered.
“But you still have to report,” she said. “And you have to respect the rights of the press to report.”
Naturally Mr. Nye was there too.
