Politics & Government
Trump Hosts French President At Mount Vernon Estate
Mount Vernon area roads will be busier Monday evening as President Trump and the French president fly to Mount Vernon.
MOUNT VERNON, VA—Mount Vernon roads will be busier than usual as President Trump will host the French president for dinner Monday evening at George Washington's estate.
Trump and First Lady Melania will dine at Mount Vernon with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte ahead of an invitation-only state dinner Tuesday at the White House. It will be the first state dinner Trump hosts during his presidency, CBS News reported.
Residents should expect heavier than usual traffic in the Mount Vernon area. The Mount Vernon estate closed to the public at 1 p.m. ahead of the dinner, ABC News reported. According to the White House, the Trumps and Macrons will leave the White House by helicopter and head to Mount Vernon at 5:30 p.m.
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Biggest local news story in DC today just might be the Trump-Macron motorcade during PM rush hour to Mount Vernon
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) April 23, 2018
The setting of Mount Vernon solidifies France's "unique status" as America's first ally, according to the White House. Macron and Trump's relations got off to an interesting start with their firm, white-knuckled handshake last May at a NATO summit. Months later, the French President hosted Trump for the Bastille Day military parade, which led Trump to seek a military parade for the U.S. The Mount Vernon dinner aims to return the favor of the dinner Macron held for Trump at the Jules Verne Restaurant in Paris last year.
This evening, Pres & Mrs Trump host the Macrons for dinner in the historic George Washington mansion at Mount Vernon. It is meant to reciprocate for the dinner the Macrons hosted for the Trumps at the Jules Verne Restaurant at the Eiffel Tower last July.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) April 23, 2018
Washington's estate is privately owned and funded by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and welcomes around 1 million visitors each year.
Find out what's happening in Greater Alexandriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that President Trump will travel by helicopter, not by car.
Image via Visit Alexandria
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