Aaron Sorkin Says Joe Biden’s Decision To Withdraw Was A ‘West Wing’ Moment As White House Honors Show On 25th Anniversary

Cast members of The West Wing emerged from the real Oval Office this afternoon for a White House reception recognizing the show’s 25th anniversary.

First Lady Jill Biden cited the show’s inspiration to those in public service.

Martin Sheen, who played President Jed Bartlet, gave a soaring speech from the Rose Garden steps.

Creator and executive producer Aaron Sorkin pushed back on the cynicism that the show was an impossibly idealized version of the White House.

In fact, as he spoke to a crowd of several hundred, he said, “The show was idealistic, aspirational and romantic. Over the years, I’ve noticed that during times of peak political tension, pundits will warn us not to expect a West Wing moment. They need to expect the selfless act of statesmanship, not to expect anyone to put country first. Don’t expect anyone to swing for the fences or reach for the stars. But the fact is, West Wing moments do happen. And Dr. Biden, we saw proof of that on the morning of July 21. That was the kind of thing we do stories about.”

As pressure mounted on Biden to drop out, Sorkin had published an op ed in The New York Times the morning of July 21, recommending that Democrats nominate Mitt Romney in a show of unity. After Biden did drop our hours later, Sorkin then said that he was endorsing Kamala Harris.

Among those also at the event were director and executive producer Thomas Schlamme, and other cast members Richard Schiff, Dulé Hill, Janel Moloney, Emily Procter, Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack.

Sorkin said that Rob Lowe, Bradley Whitford and Allison Janney had on-set work commitments and could not make it.

“The rest of us are all apparently unemployed,” Sorkin said.

“Not yet,” Jill Biden said.