Jimmy Kimmel has provided an alternative version of the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, after it was confirmed that no comedian would be roasting the president this year. The event, which Donald Trump will attend for the first time as president, will instead feature mentalist Oz Pearlman, a break from tradition that Kimmel mocked on his show.
Describing Mr Trump as "a delicate snowflake with the thinnest fat skin of any human being ever", Kimmel delivered a series of jokes aimed at the president and his administration. He referenced the president's hands, his self-comparison to Jesus, and his policies on energy, saying: "That will be your legacy, sir, breaking wind and passing gas." He also targeted adviser Stephen Miller, calling him "so racist" and saying he "puts the 'cist' in white supremacist".
Stephen Colbert, who previously roasted the president at the dinner, noted reports that Mr Trump plans to leave early after criticising the press, and highlighted an award for the Wall Street Journal's report on a birthday card Mr Trump sent to Jeffrey Epstein. Colbert also remarked on Pearlman's claim that reading Mr Trump's mind would be impressive, quipping: "When has he not immediately blurted out whatever is just rattling around in his skull."
Seth Meyers, meanwhile, turned his attention to Iran, saying the president's family was "dining at the taxpayer trough" while the public faced price increases. The late-night hosts' comments come ahead of Saturday's annual gathering, which this year will feature no traditional comedic roast.
