No Love Shack at the White House in toned down state dinner
Jill Biden has pared back the ritzy Washington DC party over fears of a backlash amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
First Lady Jill Biden has toned-down plans for a ritzy party-style White House state dinner, held to honour the US-Australia alliance, over fears of a backlash amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Dr Biden, who has organised four state dinners, on Wednesday (AEDT time) said that she had cancelled a planned performance by the B-52s, known for their hits Rock Lobster and Love Shack, because “so many are facing sorrow and pain”.
The Australian had earlier confirmed that billionaire Visy executive chairman Anthony Pratt was staying away from the scaled-back state dinner after suffering a severe illness.
Mr Pratt, whose oversees a vast corporate empire in Australia and the US, cancelled plans to join a high-level delegation in Washington after coming down with a serious bout of bronchitis.
Australian Rugby League Commission chair and Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys, University of Canberra chancellor and Indigenous leader Tom Calma, and CSIRO board member Professor Alex Brown will attend the state dinner.
ACTU president Michele O’Neil, Macquarie Group chief executive Shemara Wikramanayake, Lynas managing-director Amanda Lacaze and BlueScope chief executive Mark Vassella are also expected to attend. It has been rumoured that Australian celebrities, including actor Margot Robbie and star couple Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban may attend.
Mr Pratt, who has in recent weeks come under pressure after being identified as a potential witness against Donald Trump over allegations the former president mishandled classified information, had been expected to attend the state dinner.
Boasting significant business interests across the US, Mr Pratt was a prominent figure during Scott Morrison’s 2019 state visit and hosted Mr Trump and the former prime minister at a Visy box factory in Ohio. Mr Pratt pledged to invest $US2 billion in American manufacturing in 2017, which the former president used as evidence of the success of his economic policies.
Asked on Wednesday (AEDT) whether Mr Pratt – who has previously donated millions of dollars to both the ALP and Coalition – had briefed him on conversations with Mr Trump, Anthony Albanese said “no”.
Pressed on whether he had an opinion on Mr Pratt “using money to gain access” into the US political system, the Prime Minister said “I’m not going to comment on US internal politics”.
Mr Pratt has come under further scrutiny after the New York Times and 60 Minutes published recordings of his discussion about his relationship with Mr Trump, which prompted the former president to insult the businessman on social media.
Ahead of hosting the state dinner in the South Lawn pavilion on Thursday (AEDT time), Dr Biden revealed a crew of all female chefs will serve-up sarsaparilla-braised short ribs, farro and roasted beet salad, herb vinaigrette butternut squash soup, hazelnut and chocolate mousse cake and creme fraiche ice cream.
Dr Biden said plans for the B-52s to perform at the dinner had been shelved given events around the globe.
“While we had initially planned for the legendary B-52s to perform their iconic dance and party music, we are now in a time when so many are facing sorrow and pain. So, we’ve made a few adjustments to the entertainment portion of the evening. The band will attend the dinner as guests and the President’s own Marine band and the Army and Air Force strolling strings will provide instrumental music for the dinner,” Dr Biden said.
The dinner’s decor features were inspired by the “idea of our countries’ shared painted landscapes, celebrating the awe-inspiring beauty and vibrancy of the United States and Australia’s natural wonders and panoramas”. Despite attempts to tone-back the dinner, White House social secretary Carlos Elizondo said “the moment guests arrive … they will be immersed in colour”, with golden chandeliers overhead.
Katie Button, who was brought in by the White House as guest chef for the state dinner, is a member of the US Department of State’s American Culinary Corps, a network of more than 80 of the most influential US chefs. Wines served at the state dinner include Windracer Chardonnay Alexander Mountain 2019, Sequel Syrah Columbia Valley 2019 and Argyle Extended Tirage Brut 2012.
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