Skip to content

At the Gridiron, laughter in the dark

Political Theater, Episode 363

Materials from this year’s Gridiron dinner, a tradition that dates to 1885.
Materials from this year’s Gridiron dinner, a tradition that dates to 1885. (Jason Dick/CQ Roll Call)

Dressing up as a donkey for a skit lampooning politicians at a white tie dinner in Washington is silly. But during difficult times, when the most powerful people in the world are challenging the boundaries of constitutional democracy, it is important to hang on to your sense of humor, as well as anything else that reminds us what it means to be human. The annual Gridiron Club and Foundation dinner aims to “singe, not burn” with its skits and musical numbers. That can be a tough when so many people think the world is on fire.

Show Notes:

Recent Stories

At the Races: Runoff, Set, Geaux!

Unceremoniously yours — Congressional Hits and Misses

Trump’s unsupported claims about Reflecting Pool vandalism

Senate college sports bill authors plan talks with House

Federal AI security center measure advanced by House Science

Photos of the week | June 19-25, 2026