Congressman George Santos of New York took to Twitter to review outfits worn at the White House Correspondent’s Association Dinner.
Around 2,600 people attended the annual event on April 29 at the Washington Hilton in the nation’s capital. The event has a black-tie dress code.
Santos posted a thread on his personal Twitter account of the “misses” of the night.
“Not a knock at the people it’s just the overall look didn’t land,” the congressman wrote.
He included photos of Karine Jean-Pierre, who wore a white draped dress by Emily Adams Bode with silver jewelry and pointed-toe blue heels, as well as social media personality Chrissy Teigen, news anchor Gayle King, and actress-turned-podcaster Sophia Bush as examples of unsuccessful outfits.
Santos was also not a fan of actress Julia Fox’s gothic corset dress, which she paired with white face makeup and geometric eyeliner, or of actress Rebecca Romijn’s silver beaded and feathered gown. He also panned New York Magazine correspondent Olivia Nuzzi’s leopard print top and bright red floor-length skirt and WHCA president’s Tamara Keith’s seemingly-vintage inspired polka dot ballgown.
Keith told Vanity Fair in February that her outfit is an homage to Holly Hunter from Broadcast News. She also said the event was an opportunity to “spread the gospel of the fourth estate” – alluding to the influence that news media has over political advocacy and framing.
The WHCA reports that the dinner is its main source of revenue, which it uses to support “the journalists working to cover the president,” host “events and programs to educate the public about the value of the First Amendment and a free press,” and give “scholarships to help the next generation of journalists.”
Tickets are only available to members of news organizations.
Other least favorite looks for Representative Santos included realty television star Ariana Madix’s frilled white dress that she paired with a cape and a black and blue dress worn by actress Rosario Dawson.
Some event attendants wore “Free Evan” buttons in support of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. In March, Gershkovich was detained by the Russian government and charged with spying. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill privately met with Gershkovich’s parents at the event. The Bidens also made a point to speak with WNBA player Brittney Griner, who was released from Russia detainment through a prisoner swap. Griner and her wife, Cherelle, attended the event as guests of CBS News, per PBS.
Santos also shared his list of the best dressed attendees of the night, including model Winne Harlow, The View co-host Sunny Hostin, newscaster Stephanie Ruhle, and social justice activist Al Sharpton. Kelly Ripa’s black cape-sleeved gown – which the television personality paired with a clutch embossed with the word “nerd” – made the representative’s list, as did SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, who wore a white double-breasted suit.
Other favorite looks for Santos included actor BD Wong’s tux, a black and silver patterned fitted dress worn by Saturday Night Live’s Ego Nwodim, and a black and white butterfly patterned dress worn by transgender-issues advocate Angelica Ross.
The New York Times released its list of the event’s best dressed on April 30.
“Like every other event involving a red carpet these days, the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner has become yet another opportunity to use a moment of image-making to generate conversation and influence public opinion,” the outlet wrote.
The outlet praised Pennslyvania Congressman John Fetterman for continuing “his streak as one of the most notable dressers in Washington” and for his “willingness to be open about his experience and his resilience.” The Times also noted his choice to wear black sneakers.
Jean-Pierre, Fox, and Vice President Kamala Harris were The Times’s other best-dressed attendees.
Neither the Bidens nor Harris, who also attend the dinner, made the Congressman’s fashion review thread.
When a Twitter user questioned why Santos had shared his thoughts on the elite event’s fashion, the representative replied, “Because I can!”
