Jon Stewart’s comedy often cuts through Washington, D.C.’s bonhomie and niceties, but he’s defending one inside-the-Beltway ritual, the White House correspondents’ dinner.

Some have demanded that reporters boycott over President Donald Trump’s treatment of the press, but Stewart says he disagrees.

“I think it’ll be entertaining,” the ex-Comedy Central host told TMZ on Monday. “The scholarships that they provide at that dinner, what they’re raising money for, is still a good cause,” he added, referring to the scholarships for journalism students for which the event raises money.

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The new president’s constant attacks on the media, which he often characterizes as “the very dishonest press, and chief strategist Steve Bannon’s recent statement that reporters are “the opposition party,” have prompted some to back away from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Vanity Fair and The New Yorker canceled related celebrations this year, and Samantha Bee, who used to work on Stewart’s “Daily Show,” has announced plans to hold a rival event to support the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Contact Daniel J. Solomon at [email protected] or on Twitter @DanielJSolomon

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