- Donald Trump, the president of the United States, is hosting French president Emmanuel Macron for a state dinner.
- It's Trump's first ever state dinner.
- From Harry Truman to Barack Obama, nine past presidents hosted state dinners for French leaders.
US president Donald Trump is hosting his first ever state dinner for the leader of America's first ally.
The guest of honor is French President — and reported "Trump whisperer" — Emmanuel Macron. Macron and his wife Brigitte will accompany her husband on the visit.
State dinners are a big deal in the US. The president usually hosts the black-tie event in the State Dining Room at the White House. They date back to December 12, 1874, when President Ulysses S. Grant held a dinner in honor of King David Kalakaua of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
Spring lamb, jambalaya, and "wines made from French plants harvested in Oregon" are on the menu this year, The Hill reported. And the presidents and their wives will be serenaded by the Washington National Opera as part of the event.
Here's a look at some notable state dinners that past presidents hosted for French leaders:
DON'T MISS: Trump's being slammed for this photo of his desk — here are past presidents' desks for comparison
US President Harry Truman hosted French President Vincent Auriol
On March 28, 1951, Truman hosted French President Vincent Auriol. Truman awarded Auriol with a Legion of Merit, and said that the president had "... displayed unswerving friendship to the United States and to the ideals held by all democratic nations, and has done much to assure the success of these ideals."
Auriol had fought with the French resistance during WWII.
US President Dwight Eisenhower hosted French President Charles de Gaulle
French President Charles de Gaulle arrived in Washington DC to much fanfare in 1960.
The French leader was in town for an April 22 state visit with US president Dwight Eisenhower.
According to the Library of Congress, 200,000 Washingtonians turned out to greet de Gauelle, who later wrote about driving through a "deafening accompaniment of
cheers, sirens and brass bands, amid a forest of banners and flags."
The French politician's trip consisted of a visit to Eisenhower's farm in Gettysburg and then a trip to Camp David.
US President Richard Nixon hosted French President Georges Pompidou
French President Georges Pompidou's 1970 visit to the US didn't go off without a hitch.
The French leader was confronted by thousands of protestors during his nine day trip. The demonstrations centered on a perceived anti-Israel bias to France's Middle East foreign policy, according to the JTA.
On February 24, Pompidou met with Nixon, who said in a speech on the South Lawn that the two leaders would "... find means to work together toward our common goal, the goal we had 900 years ago, the goal of liberty and independence for all people. That is the same goal we have today."
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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