The president and first lady Jill Biden were at the White House at 7 p.m. ET awaiting the arrival of the Macrons as other invited guests arrived. The Macrons drove up to the White House shortly after 7 p.m.
The White House Press Office said the Bidens and the Macrons would be posing for photos at the White House Grand Staircase at about 7:30 p.m. Reporters covering the White House said members of the military carried flags down the Grand Staircase at about 7:38 p.m., followed by the Bidens and the Macrons. After posing for photos, the two couples left through the Entrance Hall.
The two presidents entered the dining tents on the South Lawn at about 9:45 p.m., according to reporters covering the event.
Photos showed the crowds of invited guests who were gathered in anticipation of the presidents’ arrival.
Once at the event, Biden and Macron stood before state dinner guests to deliver brief remarks.
They each spoke about the continued partnership between the U.S. and France before leading guests in toasts.
Biden delivered his remarks first. He said the relationship between the U.S. and France has been “marked by so many firsts.”
“France was our first ally, the first country to fly the American flag after our revolution. And France hosted the first diplomatic post,” Biden said. “More than anything else, France has been our first friend.”
Biden recalled the friendship that existed during the early days of the U.S. between former President George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette, the French aristocrat who fought in the American Revolutionary War. Biden quoted Lafayette as once writing of his friendship with Washington that they were “united by the greatest of causes.”
“Today, we’re still united by the greatest of causes,” Biden said. “We stand together against oppression and injustice. We stick up for one another and our democratic values, to which Washington and Lafayette dedicated their lives. And we still strive to build a world that’s worthy of our highest hopes and of our future, knowing that we can always count on one another as allies and friends.”
Biden then led a toast to Macron, his wife Brigitte, France and “to the history that binds us and the values that still unite us, and to the future we’re going to forge together.”
Macron then started his remarks by saying it was “a great honor” to be invited for the state dinner and that they “come from the same values.”
“When Lafayette came here, indeed to fight, he fought for his principles and to have people here living in democracy and freedom.” When that principle was “at risk” in France, Macron said, “you came and did the same.”
“And in a lot of places today, these principles are at risk or challenged—even in our societies, in our democracies,” he said. But, he added, the U.S. and France “stand together, shoulder to shoulder.”
In addition to feeling “honored” by the state dinner, Macron said he felt “the importance of this moment.”
“It means a lot for all of us, because this is our history,” Macron said. “This is how to build our future, and how to work together for climate, to fight against inequality for inclusive societies, to unify our nations, shoulder to shoulder. We will do so, and we will prevail.”
Macron ended his comments by toasting his “dear friend” Biden and again saying he was “immensely grateful” for the state dinner.
Several invited guests, including Washington politicians and celebrities, arrived for the event at the White House Thursday evening. French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, arrived for the dinner held in their honor shortly after 7 p.m. ET. They were greeted outside the White House by the president and first lady Jill Biden.
After their arrival, the Macrons posed for pictures with the Bidens at the White House Grand Staircase.
The dinner began later inside dining tents on the South Lawn. C-SPAN, which aired the guests’ arrival, reported shortly before 10 p.m. that the dinner was underway but that C-SPAN cameras were not permitted to record live inside the tents.
Biden shared a video on Twitter Thursday evening in which he was seen speaking alongside Macron earlier in the day. In the video, Biden said France and the U.S. “have always stood together” and that France is “an incredibly, incredibly valued ally.”
“France was our first ally,” Biden’s tweet said. “The first country to fly the American flag after our Revolution. The first to host our diplomatic post. But more than anything — France was our first friend.”
During a joint press conference on Thursday, Biden called France one of America’s “strongest partners” and “most capable allies.”
“Emmanuel has also become a friend in addition to being president of that great country,” Biden said.
During an interview with Good Morning America, Macron was asked for his thoughts on Musk’s recent decision.
“I think this is a big issue,” he said, adding that what he pushes for is “exactly the opposite: more regulation.”
Macron said both free speech and democracy are “based on respect and public order.”
“You can demonstrate, you can have free speech, you can write what you want,” he said. “But there [are] responsibilities and limits.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Macron discussed “defending democracy” during a visit to the U.S. Capitol Building on Thursday. Pelosi recalled Macron’s 2018 U.S. visit in a Thursday evening tweet, writing that Macron at that time “spoke of our two nations’ ‘common vision for humanity.’”
“Today, we discussed our continued work to advance that vision: safeguarding global security, spurring shared prosperity, protecting our planet and defending democracy,” Pelosi said.
Reporters posed the question as Pelosi and her daughter arrived at the White House Thursday evening for the first state dinner of President Joe Biden’s administration. Pelosi, who said earlier this month that she will not be seeking another House leadership position, was asked about her thoughts on her successors. Democrats elected Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York as the House’s next Democratic leader, Representative Katherine Clark of Massachusetts as the next Democratic whip and Representative Pete Aguilar of California as the next Democratic caucus chair.
“Great. And happy. And relieved,” Pelosi said of her feelings towards her party’s new House leaders.
Pelosi’s daughter then added, “Free at last,” and laughed as they entered the event.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who is hoping to replace Pelosi as speaker next year, also arrived to attend the state dinner Thursday evening. He briefly spoke with reporters before entering the event, telling them that the economy and securing the border were among the issues he wants to address alongside his Democratic colleagues.
One reporter asked McCarthy for his thoughts on attending the dinner with President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden. Republicans have expressed an interest in investigating the president’s son once they take control of the House of Representatives in January.
McCarthy did not answer the question directly, instead telling reporters, “Well, I’m at dinner with my mom so we’re going to have a great time.”
The White House’s list of expected guests included Washington politicians and members of President Joe Biden’s cabinet alongside actors, musicians and other celebrities.
Actress Jennifer Garner was photographed arriving with her daughter, Violet Affleck.
Singer-songwriter John Legend was photographed walking into the White House with his wife, model Chrissy Teigen.
C-SPAN shared a video on social media of actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ arrival.
The Late Show host Stephen Colbert was also photographed arriving with his wife, Evelyn McGee-Colbert.
Jon Batiste, who is performing at the event, was also seen arriving shortly before the Macrons.
Apple CEO Tim Cook briefly spoke with reporters as he arrived for the dinner.
Washington politicians, celebrities and other invited guests began arriving at the White House earlier Thursday evening.
The president and first lady Jill Biden greeted the Macrons as their vehicle pulled up to the White House North Portico.
The Bidens and the Macrons are next expected to pose for photos at the White House Grand Staircase at about 7:30 p.m.
President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, were expected to arrive at about 7 p.m. ET. Guests began filtering into the White House as the Bidens waited for the Macrons to arrive.
C-SPAN is streaming the state dinner live on its website. C-SPAN is also streaming guest arrivals live.
The president held a press conference and bilateral meeting with Macron earlier Thursday. The Macrons are expected to arrive at the White House for the state dinner at 7 p.m. ET. Following their arrival, the Bidens and the Macrons will pose for photos at the White House Grand Staircase at about 7:30 p.m., according to the White House Press Office.
The dinner is expected to begin shortly before 9 p.m.
The president shared a photo with the first lady and the Macrons Thursday evening on Twitter, shortly before the state dinner was due to begin.
“The temperature may be chilly on this bright December day, but our hearts are warm to welcome such close friends to the White House,” Biden’s tweet said.
The Late Show host Stephen Colbert was spotted by Newsweek walking past the American and French flags lining the event entrance. Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook could be seen speaking briefly with reporters as he arrived for the dinner.
Reporters covering the White House also shared photos of actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus arriving.
The White House shared a full list of anticipated guests that included members of President Joe Biden’s cabinet. Several members of Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, were invited to attend, as were celebrities such as Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and director Baz Luhrmann.
First lady Jill Biden announced Batiste’s anticipated performance on Wednesday. According to her office, Batiste’s father, Michael Batiste, will accompany him.
“We chose Jon Batiste as our entertainer for the evening—a performer who grew up in New Orleans, which has been shaped by both French and American culture,” the first lady told reporters during a Wednesday preview of the event.
“From playing in seminal brass bands, to leading the Louisiana Postal Workers Union during the civil rights movement, the Batiste family has been part of American history,” she said. “Tomorrow, we are adding a State Dinner to that remarkable list.”
The first lady’s press secretary, Vanessa Valdivia, said the Biden administration is “thrilled” to have Batiste perform at the state dinner.
“An artist who transcends generations, Jon Batiste’s music inspires and brings people together,” Valdivia told Billboard.
The U.S. Marine Band and the Army and Air Force Strolling Strings will also perform during the state dinner, according to the first lady’s office.
Ahead of a Wednesday media preview, the first lady’s office said the menu will include:
Butter Poached Maine Lobster American Osetra Caviar Delicata Squash Raviolo Tarragon Sauce Calotte of Beef, Shallot Marmalade Triple Cooked Butter Potatoes Sunchoke & Creamed Watercress Red Wine Reduction
The White House will also serve a cheese course featuring three American artisanal cheeses: Rogue River Blue, Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog and Deer Creek Cheddar Cheese.
On the dessert menu will be:
Orange Chiffon Cake Roasted Pears with Citrus Sauce Crème Fraiche Ice Cream
And the wine menu will include:
Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay “Napa Valley” 2018 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon “Knights Valley” 2019 Roederer Estate Brut Rosé N/V
The first lady’s office said the event menu was created in collaboration with White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford and White House Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison.
The dinner marks the first such event being held in the U.S. during President Joe Biden’s administration, as well as the first state dinner since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Thursday’s dinner will be held on the White House’s South Lawn. The first lady described the event as “an expression of welcome and friendship,” and as “a way to connect through a language that transcends words.”
The first lady said the event design was “inspired by the shared colors of our flags” and by “our common values: liberty and democracy, equality and fellowship.”
Red roses, blue delphiniums and white irises will decorate the tables. Images of the fleur-de-lis, the Statue of Liberty and oak trees will also be in view of event attendees.
Preparation for the state dinner has involved months of planning, the first lady said.
“Our hope is that the end result will be a night that balances the beauty of our friendship with the seriousness of our purpose,” she said. “And we hope that French citizens everywhere feel the warmth of our welcome.”
The ceremony took place at the French Embassy to honor veterans Samuel Davis, Carl Felton, George Idelson, Benjamin Portaro and Buddy Reynolds.
Macron shook their hands and awarded each of them the Legion d’Honneur, the highest honor France offers, for their efforts to liberate France during the Second World War.
During a speech, Macron called the men “soldiers of freedom who left everything behind, risked everything, to liberate France and the world.”
He also visited Arlington National Cemetery to honor American soldiers “who paid the ultimate sacrifice to liberate France.”
“You came to fight 80 years ago from the other side of the Atlantic to ensure our shared ideals and faith in democracy would triumph,” he said in a tweet. “France will be eternally grateful.”
