Roy Wood Jr. roasts Biden, Tucker Carlson, more at the White House Correspondents' Dinner

No one is safe!
 By 
Belen Edwards
 on 
Roy Wood Jr. in a black tuxedo speaks at a podium with an image of the White House projected behind him.
Watch Next

Roy Wood Jr.'s closing monologue at the 2023 White House Correspondents' Dinner is a glorious sight to behold. The comedian roasted everyone from President Joe Biden to former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, eliciting a mix of laughter and groans from the crowd of attending journalists.

"Give it up for Dark Brandon," Wood opened, a reference to President Biden's heavily-memed, laser-eyed alter ego. He then joked about Biden leaving some classified documents on the podium: "Don't give them to him, I'll put them in a safe place. He don't know where to keep them."

Wood also turned his attention to the media, and to the firing of Carlson from Fox News and Don Lemon from CNN. "Tucker got caught up!" he said. "Got caught up like that dude from Vanderpump Rules" — a reference to the infamous Scandoval.

Later remarks on Lemon included: "Yes, Don Lemon was a diva, and he said a couple of women are raggedy in the face, but that's a promotion at Fox News!"

While the evening was full of riotous jokes at the expense of high-profile politicians and journalists, Wood also took the time to address current newsworthy topics, such as anti-drag legislation and school shootings. "Drag queens are not at a school to groom your kids. Stop it," he said. "And even if they were, most of them kids are gonna get shot at school."

In response to the audience's audible discomfort, he retorted: "Don't groan, pass legislation!"

Wood also spoke to the importance of journalism, drawing on his father Roy Wood Sr.'s experience as a reporter covering Black platoons in Vietnam and the Soweto riots in South Africa. Wood Sr. went on to found the National Black Network, now the American Urban Radio Network.

"The work you do as journalists is important. It's essential. It's dangerous," Wood said, going on to champion local reporters and highlight the terrifying reality of newsroom layoffs. The entire speech is worth a watch: Come for the Dark Brandon jokes, stay for the impassioned breakdown of the current state of journalism.

Recommended deals for you

HBO Max — top pick for premium content

Disney+ — best for families

Hulu — popular choice for originals

Peacock — low-cost choice for live sport

Products available for purchase through affiliate links. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

A woman in a white sweater with shoulder-length brown hair.
Belen Edwards
Entertainment Reporter

Belen Edwards is an Entertainment Reporter at Mashable. She covers movies and TV with a focus on fantasy and science fiction, adaptations, animation, and more nerdy goodness. She is a member of the Critics Choice Association and the Television Critics Association, as well as a Tomatometer-approved critic.


Latest Videos

Jimmy Kimmel reacts to the midterm election results
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage. A list of large words is visible behind him.


Uncle Roger judging fried rice with Mythical Kitchen is the crossover we deserve
Nigel Ng and Josh Scherer try fried rice together in a studio kitchen.


Jimmy Kimmel roasts Trump's 'last stand' before the midterms
A side-by-side image shows two men in suits. The man on the left is on a talk show stage, the man on the right standing at a podium in front of a large pool.

Jon Stewart roasts Trump's pre-midterms Reflecting Pool speech
A man sits behind a talk show desk. In the top left is an image of the president.

What do regular people really think of the iPhone Duo?
iPhone Duo reactions

Why Jordan Klepper thinks we're living in "dumb McCarthyism"
Jordan Klepper

John Oliver shares a passionate message ahead of the midterms
A an in a suit sits behind a talk show desk. The word "Midterms" is visible top-left.

Inde Navarrette mocks Shane Gillis' gym joke in 'SNL' monologue
Episode 1908 -- Pictured: Host Inde Navarrette during the Monologue on Saturday, October 31, 2026