White House state dinner draws names from arts, fashion, biz

WASHINGTON -- The first White House state dinner of President Joe Biden's administration drew big names Thursday from fashion, entertainment, politics and business who turned out to help celebrate French President Emmanuel Macron and the return of large social events after the pandemic.

There were kisses all around as the Bidens stepped out on the North Portico to welcome the Macrons -- Jill Biden in an off-the-shoulder navy Oscar de la Renta gown, Brigitte Macron in a high-necked ivory one by Louis Vuitton.

Jill Biden's open invitation as the foursome headed inside: "Enjoy the evening."

Other guests trickled in via a side entrance, and seemed keen to do just that. First to arrive: Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, followed not long after by Gov. John Carney, representing Biden's home state of Delaware.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus whizzed by the press, pausing only to say that, yes, she'd been to a state dinner before and it was all "very exciting." Late-night TV host Stephen Colbert made his entrance, saying nothing as guests passed through a White House decorated for the holidays and boarded trolleys for the ride down the South Lawn to a heated party tent.

Late night talk show host Stephen Colbert and his wife, Evelyn McGee-Colbert, arrive for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, Dec. 1, at the White House in Washington.Susan Walsh ~ Associated Press

Shoe designer Christian Louboutin -- wearing a crystal bolo tie -- was asked how many people might be wearing his shoes for the night, and wouldn't hazard a guess, saying, "I have no idea." Vogue editor Anna Wintour also was among the 338 names on the official guest list.

Family made the cut too: Biden's adult children, Hunter and Ashley, and his sister, Valerie Biden, were on the guest list.

Others attending: "Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts, actors Jennifer Garner and Ariana DeBose and singer John Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen. Garner was among those wearing velvet, a popular choice on a night when temperatures dipped into the 30s.

Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was there, as was House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California, who hopes to succeed Pelosi.

McCarthy was asked how he felt about attending a dinner with Hunter Biden, whom Republicans are keen to investigate when they take control of the House in January. "I'm at dinner with my mom and I'm going to have a great time," he said.

Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus and her son actor Charlie Hall arrive for the State Dinner on Thursday, Dec. 1, at the White House in Washington.Susan Walsh ~ Associated Press

Other lawmakers were excited to introduce family members who accompanied them. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., who wore a royal blue one-shoulder gown and elbow-length black gloves, brought her niece, Hannah Carter, who told her aunt the affair "feels like Bridgerton," referring to the Netflix romance series.

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms stopped to talk shop before Tuesday's runoff Senate election in Georgia, where Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock is seeking reelection, declaring, "I think it's going to be a great night for Georgia on Tuesday ... just gotta make sure people continue to turn out."

With the tent ready and the tables set for the big dinner, hostess Jill Biden earlier in the day took her French counterpart and fellow teacher to a language museum to highlight their mutual interest in learning and their growing friendship.

"We are friends," Brigitte Macron said as she and Biden clasped hands at Planet Word, a museum dedicated to words and language.

"We are friends," Biden repeated.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and his mother, Roberta McCarthy, arrive for the State Dinner on Thursday, Dec. 1, at the White House in Washington.Susan Walsh ~ Associated Press

The declaration of friendship fit the occasion. A state dinner is a high diplomatic honor, one the United States bestows only on its closest allies -- like France, one of America's oldest.

The wives had their museum outing while their husbands held talks at the White House. Brigitte Macron is a former French literature and theater teacher; Jill Biden continues to teach English and writing at a Virginia community college.

Guests began trickling in to the White House as the sun faded, dressed to impress and looking forward to saying they played a small part in history -- the first state dinner hosted by the Bidens.

Plenty of business luminaries also attended, including French luxury goods magnate Bernard Arnault, movie mogul and investor Jeffrey Katzenberg, private equity legend Henry Kravis and IBM CEO Arvind Krishna.

The guest list also had a heavy presence of big Democratic donors who helped the party make a better-than-expected showing in the midterm elections. Among them, Katzenberg, a big Hollywood money man; Avram Glazer, who in recent years has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democratic causes; and Alexander Soros, the son of George Soros and deputy chair of Soros' Open Society.

Actress Ariana DeBose and Henry Munoz III arrive for the State Dinner on Thursday, Dec. 1, at the White House in Washington.Susan Walsh ~ Associated Press

Butter-poached Maine lobster, beef with shallot marmalade and American cheeses were on the menu for the red-white-and-blue themed dinner. Dessert was orange chiffon cake with roasted pears and creme fraiche ice cream. American sparkling wine will be served for the toasts.

Guests dined on rented tableware because place settings from the White House china collection are not allowed to be removed from the executive mansion. They were seated at a mix of square and rectangular tables with dark blue silk cloths, red candles and arrangements of red, white and blue flowers, including white irises, the official flower of France.

Jon Batiste, a Grammy Award-winning New Orleans native and the former bandleader and musical director of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," was providing the after-dinner entertainment.

"It's going to be fire," Batiste promised ahead of his performance.

The White House had not held a state dinner since September 2019, largely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which put a damper on gatherings of large numbers of people.

Apple CEO Tim Cook and Lisa Jackson, former administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, arrive for the State Dinner on Thursday, Dec. 1, at the White House in Washington.Susan Walsh ~ Associated Press

But entertaining is back at the White House.

Thursday's dinner followed last month's wedding of Biden's granddaughter on the South Lawn with 250 guests. And tens of thousands of people will stream through the White House this month, including tourists and others invited to nearly a month's worth of holiday receptions.

Associated Press reporter Brian Slodysko contributed to this report.