Mark Smith (journalist)

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Mark Storey Smith is an American journalist and White House Correspondent for the Associated Press. He has covered U.S. presidents since Jimmy Carter and has witnessed many historic moments, including the Falklands War, the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Bill Clinton's impeachment, and numerous campaigns and inaugurations. He led the White House Correspondents' Association in 2005–06, during which he hired Stephen Colbert as the evening's guest comedian. Colbert's performance drew mixed reactions. Smith is mentioned in Colbert's book I Am America (And So Can You!). While leading the association, he oversaw renovations of the White House Press Corps facilities, including the Press Briefing Office. In September 2011, he faced criticism for how he transcribed President Obama's speech at a Congressional Black Caucus awards dinner, with critics saying leaving off the "g" in words like "complaining," "grumbling," and "crying" was racist; Smith argued he accurately reflected Obama's way of speaking to a Black audience. He was born on Long Island, New York, and now lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his wife.