Trumps hosting French president, wife at Mount Vernon

WASHINGTON — Tending to bonding before business, President Donald Trump and France’s Emmanuel Macron were starting off the French president’s visit Monday with an anything-but-ordinary double date with their wives at George Washington’s house.

The presidents and their spouses were to helicopter together to Mount Vernon, Washington’s historic riverside home, for a private dinner one night before the two leaders sit down for talks on a weighty agenda including security, trade and the Iran nuclear deal.

Macron’s pomp-filled three-day state visit to Washington underscores the importance that both sides attach to the relationship: Macron, who calls Trump often, has emerged as something of a “Trump whisperer” at a time when the American president’s relationships with other European leaders are more strained. Trump, who attaches great importance to pageantry and ceremony, chose to honor Macron with the first state visit of his administration as he woos the French president.

Macron will be welcomed back to the White House on Tuesday with a traditional arrival ceremony featuring nearly 500 members of the U.S. military and a 21-gun salute. The state visit also offers Macron his first Oval Office sit-down with Trump and a joint White House news conference. There’s also a State Department lunch hosted by Vice President Mike Pence.

The French president’s White House day will be capped Tuesday night with a state dinner, the highest social tribute a president bestows on an ally.

Trump’s wife, Melania Trump, settled on a menu of rack of lamb and nectarine tart, along with entertainment provided by the Washington National Opera.