President Barack Obama told jokes at the expense of US real estate mogul Donald Trump on Saturday night, mocking his possible presidential ambitions in remarks at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. “Donald Trump is here tonight. And I know that he’s taken some flak lately. But no one is happier, no one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest than ‘The Donald,’” Obama said, using Trump’s nickname.
“And that’s because he can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter. Like, did we fake the moon landing? What really happened in Roswell? And where are Biggie and Tupac?” Obama added, drawing laughs and applause,
“Say what you want about Mr Trump,” the president added. “He certainly would bring change to the White House.” Big video screens in the ballroom then flashed an image of what was labelled “Trump, The White House,” spoofing the famed businessman’s practice of naming buildings after himself.
It portrayed a hotel-casino-golf course with bikini-clad girls frolicking in the fountain that adorns a White House lawn and gold columns substituted at the front for white ones.
Trump has made a series of controversial comments as he mulls a presidential campaign.
Also coming in for ribbing from Obama were Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann, Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman — all potential Republican challengers for the White House in 2012.