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“The View” host Ana Navarro said she will not attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner while President Donald Trump is in office for his second term, as she acknowledges the legitimacy of media organizations such as ABC and Disney that continue to support and participate in the event, according to the “Behind the Table” podcast on Thursday.
“There’s no way in hell. I’ll have to be dragged against my will, blindfolded by a hundred horses so I can stay this year,” said Navarro.
The annual dinner, hosted by the White House Correspondents Association, has historically raised funds for journalism scholarships and distinguished members of the media, and Trump will attend this year after declining to appear during his first term.
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A White House correspondent told Fox News Digital that Trump’s presence heightened excitement at the event.
“I think people are probably excited all over the world and they want to know what President Trump is going to say in his speech,” the columnist said. “Even if you don’t like the president, the president’s appearance at the dinner makes the dinner a very important event.”
Navarro framed his rejection as a broader rejection of what he described as the current political climate.
President Donald Trump will attend his first Correspondent’s Dinner at the White House. (Joshua Roberts/Bloomberg)
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“I can’t do unusual. I can’t do cruelty and brutality,” Navarro said. “I’m glad that Disney is supporting this because let’s remember … the money raised at this event goes towards scholarships.”
“The View” executive producer Brian Teta also pointed to the event’s role in promoting journalism, including stories critical of the administration.
“They give awards to journalism,” Teta said on the show’s “Behind the Table” podcast. “Many of these awards are given to people who have written negative pictures and stories about Donald Trump.”
Ana Navarro discussed why she believes attending the White House Correspondents’ Dinner will “normalize” the political landscape. (ABC/TheView)
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Teta stressed the importance of protecting media freedom despite Navarro’s decision not to attend.
“I think it’s important to stand up for the First Amendment and support existing journalists,” said Teta.
On Friday’s episode of “The View,” co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin defended their attendance as part of the event’s broader mission.
“They should be seen. Let’s remember the White House Correspondents Association,” Griffin said. “First and foremost it’s about protecting the First Amendment and meeting reporters who are doing amazing, important work that informs all of us.”
“The View” co-host Ana Navarro. (Lou Rocco/Getty)
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“My partner and colleague of Ana’s Kaitlan Collins is getting an award for her work at the White House,” Griffin said.
Navarro, however, said Trump’s participation should come with expectations.
“If he’s going to show up, he should be sitting there while Kaitlan Collins gets her award,” Navarro said. “Having Donald Trump speak at the White House Correspondents Dinner in honor of a free press is like having a cannibal host a vegan event.”
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