Critics of the routine said the comedian got too personal with her jokes about Sanders, but Meyers, who hosted the event back in 2011, said Wolf could have said worse things.

“If you ask me, Sarah Huckabee Sanders got off easy,” Meyers said.

\"PHOTO:
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
PHOTO: Host Michelle Wolf attends the 2018 White House Correspondents' Dinner at Washington Hilton, April 28, 2018, in Washington, DC.
>

The “Late Night” host also criticized the White House Correspondents' Association, which organized the dinner, for refusing to defend her.

“You hired her,” Meyers said. “That's like a parent sending an email saying, ‘Yesterday's birthday was meant to celebrate Kevin turning 6 years old. Unfortunately the stripper's dance routine was not in the spirit of the party.’”

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