Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten has been invited to a White House dinner with Donald Trump, despite previously having called him a convicted criminal, a misogynist, and a man who “openly flirts with dictators”.
Apparently, there are no hard feelings.
The invitation comes alongside the Dutch royal couple’s working visit to Washington DC from April 13 to 15, during which King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will be staying at the White House as guests of the Trumps.
According to AD, US ambassador Joseph Popolo confirmed Jetten has a seat at the table.
So why is Jetten invited?
Popolo’s explanation was disarmingly simple: Trump “looks forward” and is primarily interested in what people are doing, not what they’ve said about him in the past.
That’s either very magnanimous or a sign that Trump’s team Googles less than you’d think.
Back in November 2024, Jetten posted on social media that Trump was “a convicted criminal” who wanted to strip away hard-won freedoms, and “a man who openly flirts with dictators.” Now he’s been handed a dinner invitation. Diplomacy is a funny thing.
Trump, een veroordeelde crimineel, wordt president van de VS. Een vrouwenhater die verworven vrijheden, zoals abortus, weer wil afnemen. Een man die openlijk flirt met dictators. Wat voor ons ligt, zijn jaren van chaos, verdeeldheid en roekeloosheid.
— Rob Jetten (@RobJetten) November 6, 2024
Deze verkiezingsuitslag legt… pic.twitter.com/HmF5CIVL7J
Jetten became the Netherlands’ first openly gay prime minister after D66’s surprise election win last year. His presence at a cosy Trump dinner would mark quite the diplomatic pivot.
How did the royals end up at the White House?
It comes down to reciprocal hospitality. The two couples first bonded when Trump and Melania were hosted by the Dutch royals around last June’s NATO summit. Popolo put it plainly: “It’s now our turn to give something back.”
Apparently, one successful state visit is all it takes to secure a White House bedroom.
Dutch World Cup fans, take note
Popolo also used the occasion to reassure Dutch football fans anxious about entering the US for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Netherlands plays its group-stage matches in Dallas, Houston, and Kansas City, and some supporters have been nervous that sending a spicy Trump meme could land them in trouble at the border.
The ambassador’s message was straightforward: Dutch visitors have nothing to worry about.
Given that fewer Dutch people have been travelling to the US amid the current political climate, the reassurance is timely — although whether it’s convincing is another matter.
Would you sit down for dinner with Trump if it meant strengthening Dutch-American ties? Let us know in the comments.
