Every phone in D.C. was lit up with push alerts from the Trump-Vance transition last Friday night as they announced a series of coveted administration appointments.
Far fewer eyes were on President Joe Biden. I stood in a tent arching over the South Lawn fountain, surrounded by him and his allies as they dined on a three course meal in black tie attire, singing along to military musical performances. If they had any worries about the plans being made by Donald Trump, it wasn’t at all noticeable.
An emotional Biden stood by his First Lady as she toasted to her “hero” and a series of “we love you, Joe” cheers rang out through the crowd. As he wiped a tear from his eye, Jill whisked the 82-year-old president into a slow dance as the press was moved out of the room.
U.S. President Joe Biden wipes his eye after becoming emotional after he and first lady Jill Biden spoke during a dinner on the South Lawn of the White House on November 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Bidens are hosting a dinner to thank longtime supporters. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden dance during a dinner on the South Lawn of the White House on November 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Bidens are hosting a dinner to thank longtime supporters. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Everyone else in politics seemed to be looking forward on Friday night. Trump had almost completed his cabinet nominations, naming his treasury secretary, commerce secretary, labor secretary, CDC director, his surgeon general and housing and urban development secretary.
But in what was dubbed by one person connected to the event as the “final Biden dinner,” the president and his world seemed frozen in time, reflecting and celebrating the past four years that led to a devastating loss at the ballot box less than two weeks prior.
“One thing I’ve always believed about public service and especially the presidency is the importance of asking ourselves, ‘Have we left the country in better shape than we found it?’” the president said in his opening remarks of what the White House titled the “gratitude dinner.”
“And tonight, I can say with all my heart the answer to that question is a resounding yes, because of you,” he continued, painting a stark contrast to an electorate that overwhelmingly said on election night the country was on the wrong track.
Biden’s remarks were estimated to take about four minutes, a White House official earlier told the press, but he stood at the podium for six, in part because of the continuous standing ovations he received.
Late in the evening, The President’s Own, the best of the United States Marine Corps Bands, was accompanied by an array of musicians from the country’s armed forces as they milled about the tables performing a medley of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Rolling On A River,” “Get On Your Feet” and “God Bless the U.S.A.”
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a dinner on the South Lawn of the White House on November 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. Biden and first lady Jill Biden are hosting a dinner to thank longtime supporters. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Members of the military perform during a dinner on the South Lawn of the White House on November 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are hosting a dinner to thank longtime supporters. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Despite wait staff asking attendees to sit for the performance, many continued to move about the tent, decked out with candles, chandeliers and flowers, both mingling and dancing to the music. At one table, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, sitting with former Biden Chief of Staff Ron Klain, took selfies with some attendees.
Two tables over, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg greeted and hugged waves of admirers through the night. He interrupted his chatting to sing God Bless America.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore did not, continuing to greet and chat with the attendees surrounding him while the song played.
At one point former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and his wife talked with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Gwen Walz, who were seated with the president and the First Lady.
As their time in office winds down, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Attorney General Merrick Garland were captured making the rounds.
One couple noticeably absent was Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff. The pair was instead relaxing in Hawaii, reportedly deliberating her next move in politics, be it a third run for president or an attempt at becoming governor of California.
Former Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (2nd-L) and former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (C), speak during a dinner on the South Lawn of the White House on November 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are hosting a dinner to thank longtime supporters. Also pictured is Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz (C-R). (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks to a guest during a dinner on the South Lawn of the White House on November 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are hosting a dinner to thank longtime supporters. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
After the musical performance, the first lady swiftly took the stage to toast to her husband. Attendees once again remained standing through the entire seven minute speech, raising their glasses to celebrate the president and his political career.
“What I’ve watched you do for more than 40 years is extraordinary. What you’ve done over the last four years,” the first lady started before being cut off by a round of applause. “Joe, what you’ve done over the last four years is breathtaking.”
“Please join me in raising a glass to your president, my husband and hero, Joe Biden,” she finished. (RELATED: The Biden Family Is Desperately Clinging To Power, But One Loving Grandkid Is Still Frozen Out)
The president was not expected to speak again, but moved by his wife’s toast, he took to the lectern to thank all in attendance for supporting his family both through his political career and tragedy.
And I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you,” the president said.
“There’s another Irish poet who once said that history teaches us not to hope on this side of the grave, but then, once in a lifetime, a longed-for tidal wave of justice rises up and hope and history rhyme,” the 82-year-old appeared to recite from memory. “You’re making hope and history rhyme.”
A tent is set on the South Lawn of the White House as US President Joe Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden host a dinner to thank longtime supporters in Washington, DC, on November 21, 2024. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
The South Fountain is visible as “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band performs during a dinner on the South Lawn of the White House on November 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are hosting a dinner to thank longtime supporters. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Over the last six months, Biden went from being at the top of the Democratic ticket to being a president that one administration official admitted no one was listening to. His attempts to campaign with his own vice president were stonewalled. During his lame duck period, he’s been blamed by his own party for her loss, threatening his legacy.
Earlier in the night, an onlooker asked me, seemingly in jest, who I thought actually needed the lavish dinner.
It’s hard to conclude that it was for anyone but himself, and his wife, who seemed eager to turn the page after four years in the fire.
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