Korean boyband BTS’s visit to the White House this week is the latest in a long line of celebrities who have been hosted there by US presidents.
The group travelled to Washington DC to meet with President Joe Biden in private, and also to discuss Asian representation and address hate crimes in the US.
“We were devastated by the recent surge of hate crimes, including hate crimes against Asian-Americans. To put a stop to this and support the cause, we'd like to take this opportunity to be heard once again,” the group said through their translator. “We are here today thanks to our army — our fans worldwide — who have different nationalities and cultures and use different languages.”
From Elvis Presley and Richard Nixon’s meeting, to Kanye West and Donald Trump’s face-to-face, here are 15 unforgettable celebrity visits to the White House.
Elvis Presley and Richard Nixon
Before Watergate destroyed Richard Nixon’s career, the King of rock ‘n’ roll Elvis Presley met the president at the White House on December 21, 1970.
Elvis was there to offer his services to promote the administration’s anti-drug campaign. This image of the pair is the most requested photograph in all the US National Archives.
James Brown and Richard Nixon
Like Kanye West would do decades later, the Godfather of Soul James Brown alienated a huge swathe of his fans when he met with the president at the White House.
Having previously performed at Nixon’s 1968 inauguration, the African-American singer visited in 1972 to show his support for the administration, whose conservative policies he publicly endorsed.
Pele and Gerald Ford
The Brazilian football star visited the White House in 1975 during the Ford administration.
Pele famously gave the president a quick football lesson on the White House lawn, showing him how to juggle the ball.
Pele was a repeat visitor to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue over the years, visiting presidents Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.
Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash and Jimmy Carter
Johnny Cash and his family visited the White House on numerous occasions, meeting with Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. But on June 14, 1977, it was Jimmy Carter’s turn to meet the Man in Black.
Cash and his wife, fellow musician June Carter Cash, went to the White House to be honoured for their work with the Industry Retraining and Employment programme for veterans.
Michael Jackson and Ronald Reagan
The King of Pop met the president on May 14, 1984, while being given a special honour.
The Man in the Mirror singer was given the Presidential Public Safety Communication Award at a White House ceremony for allowing his song Beat It to be used in a public service campaign raising awareness of teenage drinking and driving.
Princess Diana, Prince Charles and Ronald Reagan
While Prince Charles and Princess Diana were invited to the White House in 1985 by President Reagan, the event became more famous as the night Diana danced with Hollywood star John Travolta.
The gala dinner was held in the royals’ honour and marked Diana’s first trip to the US. Reagan famously muddled up the princess’s name twice during his welcome speech.
Elton John and Ronald Reagan
The British singer met with Reagan in the Oval Office back in 1982.
The meeting would later take on greater socio-political relevance, as the pair met when the first Aids cases were emerging in the US.
The Reagan administration famously ignored the illness, while Elton would go on to become an activist and fundraiser on behalf of those affected by HIV.
Bono and George W. Bush
The U2 frontman later admitted of his meeting with President Bush: “He didn’t want to see me.”
Bono visited the White House in 2005 to discuss global poverty, Aids and debt relief. The Oval Office meeting was controversial at the time owing to the pair's differing political beliefs.
Years later, Bono said of Bush: “I’ve become very fond of him. Underneath his armour, there’s passion, compassion. He has it.”
Jay Z, Beyonce and Barack Obama
The trio have developed a close relationship over the years, with the music power couple making numerous visits to the White House during the eight-year Obama administration.
In 2010, the couple brought their mums along to meet the president, returning in 2013 with their daughter Blue Ivy.
Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Barack Obama
In January 2012, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie visited the White House while they were in Washington DC for a screening of Jolie’s film In the Land of Blood and Honey.
A White House aide later said the president “spoke with Ms Jolie about her work to raise the profile of preventing mass atrocities and combatting sexual violence against women”.
Bob Dylan and Barack Obama
Another return visitor to the White House, celebrated American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan joined the Obama administration twice in 2010 and 2012.
Dylan’s second visit was to receive the Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honour.
Kanye West and Donald Trump
The rapper was invited to the Oval Office in October 2018. During the visit he wore a “Make America Great Again” cap and spoke to reporters for 10 minutes on a range of subjects including mental health, manufacturing and the 13th Amendment. West also said he related to President Trump’s “male energy”.
Kim Kardashian and Donald Trump
The reality TV star visited the White House in March 2020 to discuss prison reform with Trump.
Kardashian was accompanied by three women, former prisoners Crystal Munoz, Judith Negron and Tynice Hall, who each had their sentences commuted by Trump at Kardashian’s behest.
Olivia Rodrigo and Joe Biden
The Gen Z singer was invited to the White House to encourage young people to get the Covid-19 vaccine.
During her visit on July 14, 2021, the good 4 U singer took to the White House press briefing room podium to “lend my support to this important initiative".
BTS and Joe Biden
The Korean boyband met with President Biden on May 31, to discuss Asian inclusion and representation, and to address anti-Asian hate crimes in the US.
Each of the seven members of the group spoke at the podium in the White House press briefing room, with an interpreter on hand to translate.
Their meeting with Biden was held behind closed doors, with a White House official saying that the group would be filming "digital content" for White House social media channels.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
WWE Evolution results
- Trish Stratus and Lita beat Alicia Fox and Mickie James in a tag match
- Nia Jax won a battle royal, eliminating Ember Moon last to win
- Toni Storm beat Io Shirai to win the Mae Young Classic
- Natalya, Sasha Banks and Bayley beat The Riott Squad in a six-woman tag match
- Shayna Baszler won the NXT Women’s title by defeating Kairi Sane
- Becky Lynch retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair in a Last Woman Standing match
- Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women’s title by beating Nikki Bella
Try out the test yourself
Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Champions parade (UAE timings)
7pm Gates open
8pm Deansgate stage showing starts
9pm Parade starts at Manchester Cathedral
9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street
10pm City players on stage
11pm event ends
Zidane's managerial achievements
La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
6026 - Dh200
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
Stuart Kells, Counterpoint Press
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Three ways to get a gratitude glow
By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.
- During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
- As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
- In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff
By Sean Penn
Simon & Schuster
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Race 3
Produced: Salman Khan Films and Tips Films
Director: Remo D’Souza
Cast: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem
Rating: 2.5 stars
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
MORE ON IRAN'S PROXY WARS
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
