Stephen Colbert and The Colbert Report at the 2006 Correspondents' Dinner in HD

During this 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner, Stephen Colbert delivered a scathing satirical monologue that included pointed criticism of President George W. Bush and his administration, President Bush's reaction appeared to be one of maintaining a composed demeanor, even as the jokes targeted him and his policies directly. Bush's response to Colbert's performance can be described as diplomatic, as he did not visibly react negatively or show signs of irritation during the event.
Throughout Colbert's monologue, President Bush sat stoically and maintained a neutral expression. He refrained from laughing at Colbert's jokes, which were largely aimed at him, his administration, and their policies. Some observers noted that the atmosphere in the room became increasingly uncomfortable as Colbert's satire continued, but Bush did not visibly react or engage with the comedian's barbs.
After the event, President Bush and his administration downplayed Colbert's performance. White House Press Secretary at the time, Tony Snow, stated that Bush had found Colbert's routine to be "hilarious" and "incredibly funny," but it's worth noting that this assessment was met with skepticism by many.
In interviews following the dinner, President Bush himself did not publicly comment extensively on Colbert's performance. Instead, he largely avoided discussing it and focused on other topics.
Overall, President Bush's reaction to Stephen Colbert's 2006 Correspondents' Dinner performance was characterized by maintaining a composed and unreactive demeanor during the event itself, while his administration sought to downplay any perceived negative response. The dinner remains a notable moment in the intersection of politics and comedy in American culture.