US First Lady Jill Biden, centre, acknowledges White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford and White House Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison during a State Dinner for Kenya's President William Ruto at the White House in Washington on May 23.Thursday’s White House state dinner honouring Kenyan President William Ruto offered around 500 guests stunning D.C. views, a knockout menu, a dose of celebrity star power and even a little family drama.
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms brought her 16-year-old son – but she confessed to reporters that he didn’t want to hold her hand. Democratic New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker brought his mom, pronouncing her “the greatest woman in the world.” Actor LeVar Burton of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Reading Rainbow” fame joked that his word of the day for the modern political climate was “fraught,” but clarified that he meant it was fraught “with possibilities.” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was there, as was his NBA counterpart, Adam Silver, who declared, “We need another basketball court at the White House.”
. Biden failed to keep a promise to visit the continent last year, but this week he said he plans to visit “in February, after I’m re-elected” – a show of optimism about his prospects in November’s election.