Former President Barack Obama made a surprise appearance at the White House state dinner on Thursday. The list of distinguished guests included former President and First Lady Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, actor LeVar Burton, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and more. Around 500 people attended the event on the White House’s South Lawn.

The White House welcomed Kenyan President William Ruto and first lady Rachel Ruto. Other notable Kenyan figures attended, as did the Rutos’ three daughters. President Joe Biden honored the Rutos in his toast and quoted former President Jimmy Carter‘s 1980 speech when another Kenyan president was invited to the White House.

“Neighbors do not share a border but share beliefs,” Biden said. Biden’s speech honored the alliance between the United States and Kenya. A state dinner is one of the most significant ways a president can acknowledge the importance of a foreign power.

Ruto later thanked Biden in his own toast, asking guests to toast to the “continued well-being and long life” of Biden and Dr. Jill Biden. Biden also joked that there were “many members of the African diaspora,” including Obama, whom Ruto had met earlier that evening. Obama’s appearance was brief. The former president was not listed as a guest on the official list but stopped by the dinner after a reception in the Blue Room. Obama’s father was Kenyan, and the former president has an affinity for the country. 

The dinner continued with lots of mingling between influential figures. The Howard University Gospel Choir performed for guests Thursday night. Country artist and dinner guest Brad Paisley also sang. Hollywood actor Sean Penn was photographed with Biden’s son, Hunter Biden. Hunter is currently awaiting trial for gun and tax evasion charges.

Obama has been busily advising Biden’s reelection campaign and is reportedly concerned that it is not taking former President Donald Trump seriously enough.

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Ann Hoang

Article by Ann Hoang

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