Thursday's White House state dinner honoring Kenyan President William Ruto offered hundreds of guests some stunning D.C. views, a knockout menu, a healthy dose of celebrity star power and even a little family drama.
"I'm looking forward to having all the conversations,” Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar declared as she arrived, no doubt speaking for many a guest at one of the largest-ever White House state dinners. Country singer Brad Paisley — wearing dual hats as both dinner guest and featured entertainer — promised he'd lead off his set with “American Saturday Night," adding, "and then all bets are off.
” Singer-songwriter Don McLean arrived in an early wave of guests, as did Barbara Kingsolver, author of “The Poisonwood Bible,” set in Africa. Asked what about the continent inspired her, Kingsolver replied, “Everything.” Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms brought her 16-year-old son — but she confessed to reporters that he didn’t want to hold her hand.
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.
, brought his mom, pronouncing her “the greatest woman in the world.” The dinner entertainment, mixing Paisley's country music and the gospel choir of Howard University in Washington, was designed with the tastes of Ruto and his wife, Rachel, in mind. The menu for the crowd of around 500 featured fruitwood-smoked beef short ribs, poached lobster, chilled heirloom tomato soup and a white chocolate basket.
Guests made their red carpet arrival in an entryway adorned with red roses.
