In a surprising and highly contentious move, the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) has canceled comedian Amber Ruffin as the headliner for its upcoming annual dinner. The decision, announced on Saturday, has sent shockwaves through the media and political world, especially after Ruffin’s remarks about former President Donald Trump drew significant backlash.

In a memo to WHCA members, President Eugene Daniels explained that the decision to drop the comedian’s performance was part of a larger effort to “re-envision” the tradition. “At this consequential moment for journalism, I want to ensure the focus is not on the politics of division but entirely on awarding our colleagues for their outstanding work and providing scholarship and mentorship to the next generation of journalists,” Daniels wrote.

The decision came just one day after Taylor Budowich, the White House deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel, publicly criticized the WHCA for recruiting Ruffin. In his post on X, Budowich took aim at Ruffin’s past comments, where she referred to the current administration as “murderers” and expressed disdain for Trump’s critics attending the dinner. He denounced the dinner’s decision to host a comedian who, according to him, “mocked” the administration with “hate-filled and violence-inspiring” rhetoric.

While Daniels stated that the decision had been in the works for weeks, Ruffin, who had been actively promoting her gig, seemed blindsided by the news. She had spoken just days earlier about preparing for the event, admitting that the rapidly changing political landscape made it challenging to keep up with current events. “News is happening at such a freaking clip that how are we supposed to hit that moving target?” she had said on The Daily Beast Podcast.

Following the cancellation, Ruffin’s fans and critics alike reacted strongly, with some expressing disappointment over the sudden removal. Meanwhile, Fox News Digital reached out to both the WHCA and Ruffin for comment, but neither party has provided further information.

The move to cancel Ruffin is a significant turn of events in what has already been a controversial year for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. While the event is intended to honor journalists and provide scholarships, it has frequently become a lightning rod for political debates, especially with high-profile figures like Trump and his supporters involved. Trump himself has not yet confirmed whether he will attend the dinner, as he skipped the event during his entire first term.

Ruffin’s involvement in the dinner had previously stirred controversy, with her openly criticizing Trump on several occasions. However, her cancellation raises broader questions about how political views influence events traditionally designed to celebrate the press and encourage freedom of speech.

While Ruffin’s cancellation has left many questioning the WHCA’s decision-making, it has also sparked discussions about the boundaries between comedy, politics, and media ethics. As the White House Correspondents’ Dinner approaches, the ongoing drama is likely to shape public perception of the event and its ability to navigate an increasingly polarized political environment.