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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Tuesday that he was not invited to a Rose Garden lunch at the White House where President Donald Trump met with Republican senators to discuss the ongoing government shutdown.
The event was meant to project unity within the GOP conference as lawmakers and the administration seek to end the budget impasse. Paul has repeatedly voted against the proposed continuing resolution that would extend federal funding through Nov. 21.
“I actually wasn’t invited to the White House lunch today, but that’s ok,” Paul wrote on X. “I had a previously scheduled Liberty Caucus Lunch with [Thomas Massie].”
Republicans have continued negotiating over healthcare subsidies as part of a broader funding package, but have said those discussions can only occur after Democrats agree to pass the short-term funding bill.
During the luncheon, Trump commented on Paul’s absence, joking that the Kentucky senator could have attended if he had pushed for an invitation.
“We have everybody but one person here,” Trump said, according to Politico. “We’re just missing one person. You’ll never guess who that is. Let me give you — he automatically votes no on everything. He thinks it’s good politics. It’s really not good politics.”
It is not the first time Paul has said he was excluded from a high-profile White House gathering. In June, he claimed he had been uninvited from a celebration over his opposition to federal spending in Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The White House later denied rescinding his invitation.
“Of course Senator Rand Paul and his beautiful wife and family are invited to the BIG White House Party tonight,” President Trump said at the time. “He’s the toughest vote in the history of the U.S. Senate, but why wouldn’t he be?”
“Besides, it gives me more time to get his Vote on the Great, Big, Beautiful Bill, one of the greatest and most important pieces of legislation ever put before our Senators & Congressmen/women. It will help to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! I look forward to seeing Rand. The Party will be Great!” he added.
