Donald Trump hosted Republican senators at the new Rose Garden Club on Tuesday, name-checking his favorites, and singling out a rebel who didn't turn up.
Donald Trump hosted Republican senators at the new 'Rose Garden Club' on Tuesday for a ritzy lunch as Diet Cokes flowed, laughter filled the air and sunshine glanced off the yellow-and-white striped umbrellas.
But despite the blue-sky ambience, the President couldn't resist the urge to pour scorn on Kentucky senator Rand Paul, who has frequently clashed with Trump on spending, military action and tariffs.
'We have everybody but one person here. You'll never guess who that is,' Trump joked as the other senators chuckled. 'Let me give you a hint - he automatically votes No on everything. He thinks it's good politics; it's not good politics.'
The President added: 'If he wanted to come, I'd probably let him come, begrudgingly.'
But Paul's office told the Daily Mail he had not been invited to the luncheon.
As the government shutdown entered its 21st day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio joked with senators Lindsey Graham and Josh Hawley, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent schmoozed Marsha Blackburn.
Many of the guests partook in supping the President's favorite drink, a Diet Coke, to accompany the simple fare — a classic cheeseburger with lettuce, tomatoes and red onions, served with French fries and followed by chocolates for dessert.
On the other side of the Capitol, Democrats are fuming as Republicans refuse to bow to their demands on a temporary funding bill. The GOP claims Obamacare extensions requested by the Democrats would give more than a million illegals free healthcare.
Donald Trump speaks at a 'Rose Garden Club' lunch in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, on Tuesday
From left: Senators Lindsey Graham and Josh Hawley, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are seen during a lunch hosted by President Trump on the Rose Garden patio
Senator Katie Britt listens as Trump delivers remarks during the luncheon in Washington, DC
Many of the guests partook in supping the President's favorite drink, a Diet Coke, to accompany the simple fare — a classic cheeseburger with lettuce, tomatoes and red onions, served with French fries; and followed by chocolates for dessert
Trump sits as he hosts a Rose Garden Club lunch
Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mitch McConnell with other officials at the lunch
Senators Lindsey Graham and Josh Hawley dine alfresco earlier on Tuesday
Trump gave a nod to Russell Vought, whom he jokingly called 'Darth Vader,' and praised his work during the shutdown. The director of the Office of Management and Budget is responsible for which federal workers are furloughed and laid off and the Republicans have wielded the 'hatchet man' as a threat against Democrats.
Playing up to the crowd, Trump took a shot at Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — the far-left Democratic congresswoman perceived by many as the driving force behind Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's intransigence.
'Schumer is even losing to AOC Plus 3,' Trump said, referring to Ocasio-Cortez and her far-left Squad, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib.
'What happened to the Plus 3? Are they still around? I met the president of Somalia and I said, "I have somebody I'd like to give back to you." He said, "No thanks. We don't want her."'
Trump was referring to Omar, a radical leftist representing Minnesota, originally from Mogadishu, Somalia.
The Rose Garden Club, a Mar-a-Lago-style patio, replaced the historic grass lawn in September.
Dining tables can host around 50 guests, umbrellas provide shade from the sun, stone paving gives a Florida feel, and Trump frequently DJs on his iPad, playing his favorite hits from Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent listens as President Trump delivers remarks during a luncheon in the Rose Garden of the White House on Tuesday
Senators mingle under umbrellas in the sunshine at the Rose Garden Club lunch
The Rose Garden Club, a Mar-a-Lago style marble patio with white dining tables, replaced the historic grass lawn in September
Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Russell Vought listens to Trump
Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mitch McConnell listen to the President as he delivers remarks
It is not the first time Trump has snubbed Paul from his swanky events. In June, Paul claimed that he'd been uninvited from the annual Congressional Picnic amid his dispute with the President over the Big Beautiful Bill.
Paul is a budget hawk who warned the $4 trillion spending package 'didn't add up' and was a 'terrible idea.'
The Kentucky native has also recently criticized Trump for his strikes on Venezuelan drug smuggling boats, arguing that he needs congressional approval for the military action.
The senator has also ripped the president over the tariffs, arguing that they are inflationary and are essentially taxes on American consumers.
| # | Наименование новости | Тональность | Информативность | Дата публикации |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trump mocks Republican barred from 'Rose Garden Club' | 0 | 9.77 | 21-10-2025 |
| 2 | Trump invites Rand Paul to Congressional Picnic after alleged snub | 0 | 8.92 | 12-06-2025 |
| 3 | Melania Trump jokes about her low profile in Rose Garden remarks | 0 | 6.39 | 21-08-2026 |
| 4 | Trump to visit California for GOP fundraiser | 0 | 4.3 | 04-08-2026 |
| 5 | Trump bullies Republicans into submission after explosive meltdown... as even the president's toughest critic makes bold concession on Iran | 0 | 9.49 | 25-06-2026 |
| 6 | Trump rips into 'loser terrible' Republicans calling for Kristi Noem to be sacked | -2 | 3 | 28-01-2026 |
| 7 | Meet the Republicans defying Donald Trump | 0 | 5 | 28-05-2026 |
| 8 | Trump-Xi steamed and minced lunch menu revealed as traveling Americans are ordered to ditch heaps of Chinese gear before returning home | 0 | 9.86 | 16-05-2026 |
| 9 | Белый дом заявил о недовольстве Трампа лидером республиканцев в сенате Тьюном | 0 | 10.36 | 24-07-2026 |
| 10 | The Senate has become an annoyance to Donald Trump | 0 | 8.26 | 06-08-2026 |