Luminaries gather at White House dinner
WASHINGTON: A glittering crowd of American and Australian luminaries gathered in the White House Rose Garden, resolutely “celebrating” even as serious matters of national security and presidential politics combined to cast a cloud over President Donald Trump.
Not long before the president and first lady Melania Trump stepped out of the White House front door and welcomed Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife, Jenny, Defence Secretary Mark Esper announced the deployment of additional US troops to the Persian Gulf region in response to a recent attack on the Saudi oil industry.
At the same time, a controversy intensified over a conversation Trump had with Ukraine’s new president.
Some guests attending just the second state dinner of the Trump administration sought to keep the conversation on the lighter side.
“I’m looking forward to celebrating tonight,” Republican Rep Mark Meadows of North Carolina said.
Music wafted across the South Lawn as guests descended the outside staircases to join the garden party.
Guests were seated at a mix of round and rectangular tables draped in alternating yellow and green tablecloths in tribute to Australia’s national colours.
Dinner centrepieces were made using more than 2,500 yellow California roses and Australia’s national flower, the golden wattle, while the garden itself was decorated with white and yellow roses.
Music came from all four sides of the Rose Garden and from above. The singers and musicians represented the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps and surrounded the party, while a band played on the roof of the West Wing.