WASHINGTON (AP) — Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten will join King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima for a private dinner with former U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania at the White House next month, his office confirmed Sunday. The visit, scheduled between April 13 and 15, marks a notable moment given Jetten’s past criticisms of the former president.
The 38-year-old Jetten, who became the Netherlands’ youngest and first openly gay prime minister in February following a coalition victory in October, previously described Trump as “misogynist” and accused him of “flirting openly with dictators” in social media posts dating back to late 2024.
Despite those earlier statements, Jetten will accompany the royal couple during their Washington stop, according to a statement provided to Agence France-Presse. Details surrounding the agenda for the dinner remain limited.
The invitation from Trump comes as the Netherlands navigates a delicate political landscape. Jetten’s coalition narrowly defeated the far-right Freedom Party (PVV) in last year’s elections, signaling a shift away from nationalist policies.
American ambassador to the Netherlands, Joe Popolo, confirmed the dinner plans to Dutch television program WNL Op Zondag, underscoring the diplomatic significance of the meeting. The visit is expected to touch on a range of issues impacting the transatlantic relationship, though specific topics have not been disclosed.