**Biden Thanks Donors at White House Dinner Amid Post-Election Discontent**

In a light-hearted moment, President Biden humorously cautioned Democratic donors and insiders not to plunge into the White House pool as he addressed them at a weekend dinner, marking the occasion to express his gratitude before his tenure ends. "Good evening, everyone... If you have a seat, please take it. Don't jump in the pool!" Biden quipped, eliciting laughter from those gathered at the elegant black-tie event held under a tent on the White House South Lawn, near the pool and fountain.

Biden, alongside First Lady Jill Biden, expressed heartfelt thanks to the attendees. According to a C-SPAN video, he said, "Jill and I are hosting this dinner tonight for a very simple reason - to say thank you. Thank you to so many dear friends. We began this journey to redeem the soul of the nation and define the light in the darkness. And I never could have gotten to where the White House has become without you and we never could have gotten as much done as we did without you. And that's not hyperbole. I mean it from the bottom of my heart."

The elite event saw attendance from prominent donors, members of Biden's cabinet, longstanding friends, and former and current ambassadors. Among them were notable figures such as former Democratic vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz and his wife, Gwen, who were spotted conversing with Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

However, some donors expressed dissatisfaction following the election outcome. According to one source, several donors who had contributed as much as $250,000 opted to skip the event. "Insiders who were invited and didn't go are calling it 'the losers party,'" one source reported, attributing their absence to the disappointing loss to Donald Trump and the frustration over the $1.5 billion spent on the unsuccessful campaign.

Despite these sentiments, another attendee described the event as an emotional yet affectionate gathering. "It was of course sad, but also just a real sense of appreciation for the Bidens. It was absolutely gorgeous," the attendee remarked. They further noted the atmosphere was surprisingly enjoyable, akin to a "last hurrah."

The evening featured musical performances and concluded with Biden, 82, lauding Jill but refraining from mentioning Trump or the election. He conveyed a message of resilience, stating, "Our cause endures."