President Trump attended his inaugural luncheon in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol after taking the official oath of office, continuing an afternoon of celebrations.
The luncheon was one of the few traditional inaugural events held Monday that was not disrupted by the plans to move festivities inside to avoid Washington’s frigid temperatures.
The newly sworn-in president and luncheon guests dined on angus ribeye steak from the greater Omaha, Nebraska area for the main course and Minnesota apple ice box terrine for dessert.
The menu items were a nod to Sens. Deb Fischer, Nebraska Republican and Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota Democrat, members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) that helps plan the day’s events.
Mr. Trump sipped on what appeared to be his favorite beverage, Diet Coke, during the lunch while frequently chatting with Ms. Klobuchar, who was seated between him and Vice President J.D. Vance.
Ms. Klobuchar earned the coveted spot as chair of the JCCIC. Before the lunch began, she gave welcome remarks and introduced the inaugural painting, entitled “American Horizon,” by artist Jane Wilson.
“The artist is from America’s heartland but the horizon could easily be Florida,” Ms. Klobuchar said of Mr. Trump’s most recent state of residence.
“It’s a reminder that what’s over the horizon is our next chapter,” she said of the message behind the painting.
After the lunch, members of the JCCIC presented Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance with gifts to commemorate the day: flags flown over the Capitol during the Inauguration, pictures of their swearing-in and crystal Lenox vases. Mr. Trump’s vase contained an etching of the White House and Mr. Vance’s had the Capitol.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, gave brief remarks toasting Mr. Vance, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, South Dakota Republican, did the same for Mr. Trump.
Mr. Trump did not give remarks during the lunch, providing him a rare break after back-to-back speeches at the Capitol — his inaugural address in the rotunda and subsequent remarks to an overflow area for members of Congress and other guests in Emancipation Hall — and before he spoke to supporters gathered at Capital One Arena.
Guests included Trump family members, top congressional leaders, other members of the House and Senate in both parties, and Supreme Court justices.
Several of Mr. Trump’s nominees for Cabinet and other top administration posts attended as well, including Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, Veteran Affairs Secretary nominee Doug Collins, Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard, Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi, Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent and Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Mr. Hegseth, who has told senators he would not drink if confirmed to lead the Pentagon, turned down the champagne pour when the waiter came around. He did lift a glass during both toasts but did not drink from it, and sipped on coffee instead.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon Chairman Jeff Bezos and Apple CEO Tim Cook, who each donated $1 million to the Trump inaugural fund, were also in attendance.
In total, the lunch accommodated roughly 250 guests, 10 at the head table and 10 each at the two dozen guest tables.
Tables were adorned with white-and-gold flower arrangements and gold cutlery and accents for the place settings.
• Lindsey McPherson can be reached at lmcpherson@washingtontimes.com.