Overview
- WHCA president Weijia Jiang announced Pearlman as the headliner, describing the planned program as fresh, interactive and focused on Washington news coverage.
- The annual dinner on April 25 functions as a fundraiser that awards scholarships and honors journalists with annual prizes.
- The booking continues a shift from traditional stand-up after Amber Ruffin’s 2025 appearance was canceled following criticism from the White House.
- Pearlman is a prominent mentalist with television credits including America’s Got Talent and 60 Minutes, plus widely shared performances with NFL teams.
- It is not yet known whether President Donald Trump will attend, and he has routinely declined to appear during his presidency.