Trump’s Upcoming State Dinner with Xi Jinping

Despite his significant wealth, President Donald Trump isn’t particularly known for his culinary sophistication. However, the state dinner scheduled for Thursday with Chinese President Xi Jinping promises to be an elegant event, a stark contrast to Trump’s well-known preference for fast food, like his infamous McDonald’s order of two Big Macs, two Filet-O-Fish sandwiches, and a large chocolate shake.

Interestingly, the dinner will forego an American classic: red meat. In fact, the menu will feature no meat at all; it’s exclusively pescatarian.

The menu, shared by First Lady Melania Trump’s office, reveals that the first course will be a yellow squash velouté paired with wild mushroom fricassée, crispy pancetta, and a drizzle of scallion oil. According to the menu, the dish is designed to highlight the seasonal flavors of squash and mushrooms, with the pancetta adding a savoriness to contrast the silky smooth texture of the velouté.

Next on the menu is sesame-crusted sea bass accompanied by braised bok choy, roasted eggplant, and a French green herb sauce. The preparation is described as delicate, aiming to preserve the fish’s tenderness while offering a nutty flavor from the sesame crust, enhanced by the freshness of the accompanying vegetables.

For dessert, guests will enjoy a vanilla crémeux with a sour cherry confit center, all atop a walnut frangipane. This dish, enriched with a unique ice cream made from White House honey, ties back to the First Lady’s recent introduction of a beehive on the South Lawn.

The entertainment for the evening is set to feature tenor Christopher Macchio, who recently performed at the Republican National Convention, supported by military musicians from the Army and Marine Corps.

The decor for the evening will reflect warmth and celebration, prominently featuring red tones, which have deep cultural significance in Chinese history. The ambiance will be enhanced by urns filled with red blossoms and tables adorned with dahlias and ranunculus.

After the dinner, the two leaders are expected to retire for the night. On Friday, Trump plans to take Xi on a visit to the National Archives before Xi departs the U.S. in the afternoon.