Biden attempts to restore America’s global standing with state dinner pageantry

Washington's first such event since 2019 pulled out all the stops to heal relations shaken by the Trump presidency

It was the night food porn returned to the White House. In a heated tent on the south lawn, political leaders, business titans and Hollywood stars feasted on butter poached Maine lobster, American Osetra caviar, calotte of beef with shallot marmalade, triple cooked butter potatoes and artisanal cheeses.

Joe Biden, a teetotaller reportedly drinking ginger ale, and French president Emmanuel Macron, wielding a flute of California brut rose, wore tuxedos and offered toasts to their friendship. Et laisse-moi dire, vive les Etats-Unis d'Amerique, vive la France, et vive l'amitie entre nos deux pays," Macron said.