While Americans are struggling due to skyrocketing inflation, the Biden administration has decided to host a decadent state dinner at the White House with a menu featuring items including lobster dolloped with caviar.
White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford and Executive Pastry Chef Susan Morrison preview the menu for Thursday's State Dinner. pic.twitter.com/SsObzA2DtQ
— CSPAN (@cspan) November 30, 2022
The posh affair was the first state dinner of the Biden administration, and the White House planned to host over 300 guests — including political figures like French President Emmanuel Macron.
The guest list also included mainstream media personalities such as MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough, CEOs such as Apple’s Tim Cook, and celebrities including Stephen Colbert, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Jennifer Garner and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
At least one Republican was on the list — House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who is likely going to the next Speaker of the House when the GOP regains control of the chamber in January.
President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden was also reportedly on the guest list.
Meanwhile, many people were angry over the lavish affair — pointing out that the White House was celebrating while Americans were struggling to afford basic necessities.
Biden was even called out by members of his own party. Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) sent out a tweet pointing out the hypocrisy of the White House guests dining on lobster while the president’s policies are “regulating” the Maine lobstermen “out of business.”
“If the Biden White House can prioritize purchasing 200 Maine lobsters for a fancy dinner, @POTUS should also take the time to meet with the Maine lobstermen his administration is currently regulating out of business,” Golden tweeted on Wednesday.
If the Biden White House can prioritize purchasing 200 Maine lobsters for a fancy dinner, @POTUS should also take the time to meet with the Maine lobstermen his administration is currently regulating out of business. https://t.co/PLiGGopsid
— Congressman Jared Golden (@RepGolden) December 1, 2022
The decadent state dinner comes as Americans head into the Christmas holiday season while continuing to face high prices on most goods.
According to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics last month, “The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.4 percent in October on a seasonally adjusted basis, the same increase as in September.”
“Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 7.7 percent before seasonal adjustment,” the report continued. “The all items index increased 7.7 percent for the 12 months ending October, this was the smallest 12- month increase since the period ending January 2022.”
