Inside a Lavish White House State Dinner: A Glimpse at the Extravagance and Menu Offerings | US News
The White House hosted a luxurious state dinner on Wednesday, featuring six-foot floral centrepieces, an elaborate menu, and a musical performance by Paul Simon. The event was held in honour of Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida, marking the fifth state dinner hosted by President Joe Biden for a world leader.
During his speech, Mr Kishida entertained guests with jokes and quotes from Star Trek, highlighting the strong relationship between Japan and the US. The star-studded guest list included prominent figures like the Clintons, Robert De Niro, and tech giants such as Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos, and Brad Smith from Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft, respectively.
Jeff Bezos listens as Joe Biden and Fumio Kishida make toasts. Pic: AP
The guest list of 230 people also included Biden family members, with Paul Simon as the musical guest of honour, performing some of his well-known songs. The menu for the evening highlighted the spring produce of Japan and the US, featuring dishes like house-cured salmon, rib eye steak, and salted caramel pistachio cake.
Paul Simon entertains guests after dinner. Pic: AP
The decor of the White House was meticulously planned by First Lady Jill Biden, who transformed the state floor into a vibrant spring garden theme. The evening celebrated the friendship between the US and Japan, with toasts exchanged between Mr. Kishida and Mr. Biden, emphasizing their countries’ long-standing alliance.
Pic: AP
State dinners serve as a significant diplomatic tool, reserved for America’s closest allies. Mr. Kishida’s state dinner marks a historic event, highlighting the strong bonds between the US and Japan as they pledge to tackle global challenges together.
