“Look, Sleepy Joe is still awake.”

“I would like to point out that it is now after ten o'clock at night, and… Sleepy atmosphere Still awake. While Donald Trump slept in court every morning for the past week.” That was one of the jokes made Saturday evening by comedian Colin Jost, during the traditional dinner in which the president and White House reporters made fun of each other.

Ghost, known from the legendary TV show Saturday Night LiveAnother was: “Can we just admit how refreshing it is to see the President of the United States in a meeting that doesn't start with a guide saying, 'All stand up.'”

In his ten-minute speech, President Biden alternated between joking and serious. He touched on a recurring question several times: Aren't Trump (77 years old) and Biden (81 years old) too old to compete for the presidency later this year?

For example, Biden said his wife, Jill, was concerned about his performance and gave such a speech to critical journalists. Biden said he replied that his wife should not worry. “It's like riding a bike.” Jill in Biden's speech: “That's exactly what worries me.”

Biden has often criticized Trump. “Age is the only thing we have in common. My vice president really supports my candidacy. […] Yes, age is an issue. “I'm a grown man competing against a six-year-old.”

Trump later responded on social media: “Quirky atmosphere It was an absolute disaster. “It doesn't get any worse than this.”

Biden shifted to a more serious note midway through his speech. He said the most pressing question of our time is whether democracy remains a fundamental value. “The defeated former president has made no secret of his attack on our democracy. He said he wanted to become a dictator from day one […] He promises a bloodbath if he loses again. We have to take this seriously.” Biden said that after Trump supporters attempted to occupy the Capitol on January 6, 2021, we can no longer dismiss this as bragging.

He concluded with a toast to “a free press, and informed citizens” and an appeal to the media: “Look beyond the races and the problems and side issues that make our politics so exciting. Focus on what's really at stake.”

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