President Biden and first lady Jill Biden are preparing to host Kenya, the first African nation in nearly 14 years, for a state dinner Thursday at the White House, with a menu that includes lavish items like butter-poached lobster and a white chocolate basket with banana ganache, raspberries, peaches and candied lime zest.

The U.S. considers a state dinner as one of the most glamorous events organized by the White House for a visiting head of government or reigning monarch and has been used in the past to show diplomatic unity.

Biden invited Kenyan President William Ruto to the White House for a three-day state visit to recognize the East African nation as a major non-NATO ally.

Kenya is sending 1,000 police officers to Haiti as part of a U.N.-led effort to address the security crisis in the country. Kenya is also the first African nation since 2008 to be honored by the U.S. with a state visit.

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During the visit, Ruto and his wife, Rachel Ruto, will be the guests of honor during a formal black-tie event at the White House.

"[Thursday] night, we mark the 60th anniversary of the United States’ partnership with Kenya with an elegant dinner under the stars, in a pavilion made almost entirely of glass, looking up at our one sky," Jill Biden said. "While outside, night surrounds us, inside, guests will be brought together over the glow of candles, in a space saturated with warm pinks and reds."

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The White House, under the direction of the first lady, organized the event and planned the dinner menu.

To start out, diners will be served chilled heirloom tomato soup with sourdough crisps and arbequina olive oil.

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They will then move on to fruitwood-smoked beef short ribs and butter-poached lobster with citrus butter, baby kale and sweet corn purée.

Dessert will include a white chocolate basket with banana ganache, raspberries, peaches and candied lime zest.

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Three wines will be served during dinner, including a Hartford Court Chardonnay from the Four Hearts Vineyard, a pinot noir from St. Innocent Winery, and an Iron Horse Classic Vintage Brut sparkling wine.

Entertainment will include the Howard Gospel Choir and Brad Paisley, in honor of President and First Lady Ruto’s love of gospel and country music.

"As guests leave, their path illuminated by our one moon, I hope they will be filled with that same warmth I felt on my visits to Kenya — that of a friendship that will endure, helping create a shining and prosperous tomorrow," Jill Biden said. "Every detail of this state dinner has been thoughtfully planned by so many people from across our government — Joe and I could not have asked for a better team."

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., officially announced his bid for Republican leader in the next Senate on Wednesday, setting the stage for a crowded race. 

"I have decided to run for Senate Republican leader because I believe now is a moment we need dramatic change," he wrote in a letter to fellow Senate Republicans. 

The Florida Republican joins both Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-TX, in the race, both of whom have already announced their own candidacy for outgoing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's role. 

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Scott stressed the need for transparency among conference members in his appeal, claiming, "There have been far too many backroom deals cut in secret." News of his campaign for leader was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

He criticized the failure of legislation to move through the committee process and the normalization of trillion-dollar spending bills voted on without consideration for amendments. "We are routinely surprised with legislation and asked to vote on it without having had any input or even time to review it," Scott continued. 

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The Florida senator additionally lamented that the upper chamber GOP rarely works "in concert with Republicans in the House." 

According to Scott, the body "far too often passes legislation that is supported by 100% of the Democrats, and only a quarter of our Republican Conference." He claimed this has served to unite Democrats, while simultaneously dividing the Republican senators. 

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Notably, McConnell has served as the Republican leader since 2007, only announcing in February his plan to step down. 

In 2022, Scott challenged the reigning leader during his re-election bid for the position. He cited frustration with the "status quo" in his reasoning, urging his colleagues to vote for change. 

He was able to garner 10 votes to McConnell's 37 at the time. "We had a double-digit vote against the current leader, and that’s never happened in the time I’ve been here," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, had remarked. 

Following McConnell's surprise announcement, Scott said in a statement, "I have been very clear and have long believed that we need new leadership in the Senate that represents our voters and the issues we were sent here to fight for. As everyone knows, I challenged Leader McConnell in 2022. This is an opportunity to refocus our efforts on solving the significant challenges facing our country and actually reflect the aspirations of voters."

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However, he didn't reveal his intentions at the time. 

The November match-up for Republican leader presents the winner with an opportunity to shape the Republican Party's priorities in the Senate, especially if they snag the majority in the 2024 elections.