While former President Donald Trump had thousands coming out and bringing the excitement to the South Bronx on Thursday, Joe Biden was trying to appeal to his real base — well-heeled Democratic operatives, sports notables, and Hollywood folks — at a State Dinner for the Kenyan president, William Ruto, and his wife. 

The attendees dined on "fruitwood-smoked beef short ribs, poached lobster, chilled heirloom tomato soup and a white chocolate basket." They also listened to entertainment from people like Brad Paisley. 

Pro tip for Joe? When Americans are being crushed because your overspending helped skyrocket inflation, it's not a good look. 

Among the people in attendance were actors Sean Penn, LeVar Burton, Michaela Cole, and Wilmer Valderrama. There were folks from the sports world as well, such as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. 

There were also the Clintons. 

Clintons arrives White House state dinner for Kenya

Pres. Clinton points to portrait of First Lady Hillary Clinton: "I like the girl behind you there." pic.twitter.com/AVa26abpEZ

— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) May 24, 2024

Hillary said it was "good to be back," while Bill made the same joke he made the last time he was there that he "liked the girl behind you there," indicating a picture of Hillary that was on the wall. 

Hillary's former right-hand person, Huma Abedin, was also there with her boyfriend, Alex Soros, the son of George Soros. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and MSNBC's Al Sharpton were also there. 

State Dinner honoring President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto of Kenya. 🇰🇪🤝 🇺🇸

Trip down memory lane in every way – and making some new special ones. pic.twitter.com/AQEzC9Kul7

— Huma Abedin (@HumaAbedin) May 24, 2024

One of the people who got some attention for being there was Hunter Biden. Both he and Attorney General Merrick Garland were in attendance, despite Hunter facing federal charges, with his gun case supposed to start on June 3.  

Deadbeat Hunter Biden was spotted sitting prominently at last night's White House State Dinner pic.twitter.com/UYFYIyRZeu

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) May 24, 2024

You can see Hunter sitting at the main table, listening to President Ruto speak. 

Both Hunter Biden and Garland were also in attendance at a White House event earlier in the week on Monday for Jewish American Heritage Month, and they were both in attendance at another State Dinner last year. Hunter was pretty fidgety, looking around. His daughters Finnegan and Naomi were also reportedly there. 

What was also funny is that apparently, some Democrats are not fans of Hunter being at all these events and throwing him in people's faces, according to a new report.

Democratic insiders were bristling at the presence of Hunter Biden at the starry White House reception for Jewish American Heritage Month this week, we hear. 

One Democratic operator told us of the first son’s presence and the political optics, “It’s such a blind spot … It’s not exactly the look people need or want.” 

The source said of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., “Hunter is there a lot — his dad is president — but this was public.”

Barack Obama was also briefly in attendance. He met earlier in the day with Ruto, then was at the dinner, but he cut out early. 

President William Ruto @WilliamsRuto meets former USA President Barack Obama in Washington DC.#KenyaUSvisit pic.twitter.com/H4UKHFHNM9

— Gideon Kitheka Snr (@Gideon_Kitheka) May 23, 2024

Biden didn't say much at the dinner, but he did manage to slip in one weird slurring comment referencing Barack Obama and how he was a member of the "African diaspora." This is the apparent Democratic nominee.