Thursday night’s White House state dinner for Kenyan President William Ruto was attended by Hunter Biden, who is only weeks away from his criminal trial on federal gun charges and a month from a trial on tax allegations.
Hundreds of prominent people, including the president’s son, were invited to celebrate Mr. Ruto with a toast. The dishes included poached lobster, chilled heirloom tomato soup, beef short ribs smoked in fruitwood, and a white chocolate basket.
Country music star Brad Paisley arrived in his trademark cowboy hat as both a dinner guest and main entertainment. After joking that the dinner’s glass pavilion was the most elegant greenhouse in the world, he began his performance by singing “American Saturday Night” and “This is Country Music.”
The guest list also included Finnegan Biden, who is Hunter Biden’s daughter.
Sara Biden, who was engaged in Hunter Biden’s international business dealings, and her brother James were also invited.
Hunter Biden has asked a federal court in Delaware to delay the start of his trial on gun charges, which was supposed to begin next month in Wilmington, at the same time that he is making an appearance on the guest list.
On Monday, two weeks before the trial’s scheduled start, counsel representing Hunter Biden submitted a motion. A three-judge panel also denied his earlier plea to reverse the trial judge’s denial of several dismissal motions.
Hunter Biden has entered a not-guilty plea on federal charges related to his gun purchase in 2018 while under the influence of illicit substances. The accusations also include claims that he fraudulently said on the form that he was not under the influence of drugs.
Hunter Biden is also facing federal tax accusations, although in a different instance. The matter is scheduled to be tried in court in California on June 20. His not-guilty plea has likewise been met with those allegations.
The current president of Kenya has a background in evangelism and often uses his speaking engagements in churches to lead congregations in praise and worship.
