Since 1960, when John F. Kennedy (who would become the first Roman Catholic president) and Richard Nixon were speakers, it has been a stop for the two main presidential candidates during several U.S. election years.[5] In 1976, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford spoke; in 1980, Carter and Ronald Reagan; in 1988, George H. W. Bush and Michael Dukakis; in 2000, Al Gore[6] and George W. Bush;[7] in 2008, Barack Obama and John McCain;[8] in 2012, Barack Obama[9] and Mitt Romney[10] in 2016, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump;[11] and in 2020, Trump and Joe Biden.[12] Candidates have traditionally given humorous speeches[13] poking fun at themselves and their opponents, making the event similar to a roast. The 2018 dinner raised $3.9 million.

This market resolves to YES if the dinner happens and candidates of the two main parties deliver stand-up routines. This market resolves to NO at the election day.