Jesse Watters and Emma DiGiovine step out at White House state dinner as past controversy resurfaces
Fox News anchor Jesse Watters made a high-profile appearance at a White House state dinner this week, attending alongside his wife, Emma DiGiovine. The couple’s presence at the formal event quickly drew attention, bringing renewed focus to a relationship that has long sparked public interest.
“Honored to have been at the US/UK State Dinner, celebrating a reciprocal relationship built upon mutual respect, admiration and partnership. 🇺🇸🇬🇧❤️” Wrote Emma Watters on Instagram
Hosted by Donald Trump and Melania Trump in honor of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the gathering brought together leading political figures and prominent media personalities.
Watters and DiGiovine were among several familiar Fox News faces invited to one of the administration’s most visible formal occasions.
A relationship that drew early scrutiny
Long before their appearance at the White House, Watters and DiGiovine’s relationship had already made headlines under complicated circumstances. The two became involved while DiGiovine was working as an associate producer on Watters’ program, “Watters World,” at a time when he was still married to his first wife, Noelle Inguagiato.
The situation became public in 2017, prompting Watters to inform Fox News leadership of the relationship. DiGiovine was subsequently reassigned to another program, “The Ingraham Angle.” The development also led to a personal turning point, as Watters’ marriage ended in 2019 after his then-wife filed for divorce.
Later that year, Watters announced his engagement to DiGiovine, and the couple married in December 2019. They have since built a family together and now share two children.
The relationship continued to generate discussion years later, particularly after Watters recounted how he first pursued DiGiovine. “When I was trying to get [my wife Emma] to date me, first thing I did, uh, I let the air out of her tires,” he said, describing how she then needed a ride and accepted his offer. The remarks sparked backlash when they circulated publicly.
Watters later addressed the reaction, saying the story was not accurate and had been intended as a joke. Despite that clarification, the comments have remained closely tied to public perceptions of their early relationship.
A formal evening at the White House
The state dinner marked the first of Donald Trump’s second term and was held in the East Room of the White House. Other Fox News figures in attendance included Bret Baier, Maria Bartiromo, Greg Gutfeld, Laura Ingraham, Ainsley Earhardt, and Rachel Campos-Duffy, along with network CEO Suzanne Scott.
The evening began with a South Lawn welcome ceremony, where President Trump praised King Charles’ address to Congress, telling reporters, “He made a great speech… I was very jealous.”
Guests were served a four-course meal that included a hearts of palm starter, herb ravioli made with ingredients from the White House Kitchen Garden, Dover sole as the main course, and a beehive-themed chocolate dessert featuring honey sourced from the White House grounds.
First Lady Melania Trump wore a pale pink gown by Christian Dior Haute Couture, while Queen Camilla appeared in a deep pink design paired with a historic necklace.
Set against the backdrop of a carefully staged diplomatic event, Watters and DiGiovine’s appearance underscored how their personal story continues to follow them—even at the highest-profile gatherings.
