Aiming jokes at the expense of political allies and opponents, President Barack Obama enjoyed himself at his final official appearance at the White House Correspondents’ dinner in Washington.
Nobody was spared. Bernie Sanders, the 74-year-old Vermont senator who has turned the race for the Democratic nomination into a competition rather than a procession, was hailed as “the bright young face of the Democratic Party”.
He went on: Bernie, you look like a million bucks — or we’ll put it in terms you’ll understand: You look like 37,000 donations of $27 each.
Hillary Clinton, who now looks almost certain to be the Democratic nominee, was mocked for her attempt to win the support of young Americans.
“You have to admit it though, Hillary trying to appeal to young voters is a little bit like your relative who has just signed up for Facebook.’’
In a crack aimed at Mrs Clinton’s Wall Street connections, the president added: “It’s my eighth and final appearance at this unique event. I am excited. If this material works well, I’m going to use it at Goldman Sachs next year.”
Appearing before an audience of journalists, politicians and showbusiness stars including British actresses Emma Watson and Helen Mirren, Mr Obama had a great deal of fun at the expense of the Republicans.
In a dig at Donald Trump, Mr Obama hailed Michael Bloomberg as a man who is “actually worth the money he says he is”.
Ted Cruz’s unfortunate basketball gaffe in Indiana provided more material.
“He went to Hoosier country, called the hoop a basketball ring. What else is in his lexicon? Baseball sticks? Football hats? But sure, I’m the foreign one.”
Members of the Republican National Committee were also ridiculed for the party’s chaotic race to choose a candidate for the Presidential election in November.
“Guests were asked if they wanted steak or fish, and a whole bunch of you wrote in Paul Ryan,” Mr Obama said, referring to suggestions earlier in the year that the Republican Speaker in the House of Representatives could be drafted at the party’s convention in the summer.