Melania and Donald Trump lead dignitaries at glittering White House dinner

Guests at the second state dinner held by Donald Trump seemed intent on celebrating despite national security and presidential politics casting more shadows on to the POTUS.

The president and Melania welcomed Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife, Jenny, to the White House on Friday.

The glittering bash came as Defense Secretary Mark Esper said thousands of troops would be deployed to the Persian Gulf after last weekend’s attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, controversy was also growing over a conversation between Trump and Ukranian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

Trump is believed to have urged his East European counterpart to investigate the son of former Vice President Joe Biden, set to stand against Trump in next year’s presidential elections.

Attendees at the dinner seemed intent on keeping the conversation on the lighter side.

They included attorney and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, cabinet secretaries, members of Congress and Australian guests including legendary golfer Greg Norman.

They were seated at tables draped in Australia’s national colours and enjoyed a meal of sunchoke ravioli, Dover sole and apple tart a la mode.

The First Lady stood out in an aqua silk chiffon gown by J. Mendel with inserted pleats and bias cut waves while Jenny Morrison’s opted for a midnight blue sequined halter-style gown.

Before dinner was served, Trump hailed his Australian visitors as ‘very special people and a very, very special country.’

He said earlier he would love to attend the 2019 President’s Cup golf tournament in Australia in December, if his schedule will allow it.

In return, Morrison praised the first lady’s ‘quiet grace’ and toasted to 100 years of ‘mateship’ between the U.S. and Australia.

After Morrison arrived to a military ceremony on Friday afternoon, the two leaders held talks.

Trump said the talks included military issues and trade while his Australian counterpart said he and Trump shared a ‘passion for jobs’ and commended Trump for his record on job creation.

The Australian president also attended a State Department luncheon hosted by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Australia was last a recipient of a U.S. state visit in 2006, when President George W. Bush welcomed Prime Minister John Howard.