Taylor Swift Shout-Out From President Obama, Also Jay-Z & '99 Problems' at White House Correspondents Dinner
President Barack Obama referenced songs by Taylor Swift to describe the political turmoil in Washington during his speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner on April 27.
"My charm offensive has helped me learn some interesting things about what's going on in Congress - turns out, absolutely nothing," he said. "But the point of my charm offensive is simple: We need to make progress on some important issues. Take the sequester Republicans fell in love with this thing, and now they can't stop talking about how much they hate it. It's like we're trapped in a Taylor Swift album."
Obama also made mention of rap in his speech, drawing in lyrics from Jay-Z's song 99 Problems. Though the White House said in the past that the president had nothing to do with Jay-Z and Beyonce's recent trip to Cuba, Obama took the opportunity during his speech to end the controversy once and for all.
"Yes, maybe I have lost a step, but some things are out of my control - for example, this whole controversy about Jay-Z going to Cuba," Obama said. "It's unbelievable. I've got 99 problems but now Jay-Z is one ... That's another rap reference."
During the night of laughs, digs were make against NBC's record at launching failed shows and the night's host Conan O'Brien, in a skit about how producers should have waited five years to see if Jimmy Fallon was available for the late night talk show spot. The was also a slide show featuring Obama sporting his wife Michelle Obama's new bangs.
Sofia Vergara, Katy Perry, Claire Danes, Sharon Stone and Psy were among the celebrities that attended the dinner on April 27. Click here to see red carpet photos.
