Author: White House Correspondents' Dinner sends 'troubling message'

(CNN) – The annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner is this Saturday, an annual event – affectionately referred to as "nerd prom" – that combines politicians, reporters, and Hollywood stars.

One of the weirdest things about the event, is "the fact that it continues to exist," says New York Times journalist Mark Leibovich, author of "This Town."

With parties before and after the dinner, the event now stretches over several days.

"There's not a lot to celebrate, I mean the rest of the country does not look with great esteem upon our city, and yet over a five-day ... $50 million or so are spent like on entertainment, transportation, hospitality, media," says Leibovich.

It sends "a troubling message," he says.

For more of our interview with author Mark Leibovich, check out the video above.