How the US embassy’s mega bash became the hottest ticket in Brussels

“I don’t think that a summer party will solve our tensions,” Brando Benifei, an MEP from the Socialists and Democrats who is chair of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with the U. S., told POLITICO.  He said there were clear “divergences” between the EU and the U. S., “from the Iran war to digital dependencies” and “certain attacks on Europe by Trump.” But, added Benifei, who was invited but said he cannot go, “I’m sure it will be a nice celebration.”  ‘Momentous and fun’ The guest list includes Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and thousands of politicians, diplomats, officials, military personnel and their families.  It’s the “most coveted party in town,” an ambassador from a southern European country who was invited told POLITICO. S. ambassador to Belgium who is in charge of organizing the event, predicted it “will be a phenomenal, fantastic, momentous and fun party in every way imaginable.” Still, it remains divisive. “Belgium and the United States have long maintained strong and friendly relations,” said Elke Van den Brandt, mobility minister in the Brussels regional government. “At the same time, given the active dismantling of human rights , Donald Trump, this is not a moment I feel inclined to celebrate in that way. I do not think I am alone in this feeling, many of my European colleagues are asking the same questions about what kind of partner the United States wants to be.” Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and U. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White are pictured at the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Flanders Field American Cemetery, on May 24, 2026. | Nicolas Maeterlinck/ AFP via In a sign of the unusually tight security measures, guests have been asked to upload a photograph of their face in advance, three invitees told POLITICO, with the biometric data to be used for facial recognition at the entrance when they present their ID and a QR code. A second ambassador from a European country, who had to upload a photo of their own face and that of their spouse, told POLITICO they were taken aback . S. embassy to organize the party, when asked . The park — which falls under the overlapping jurisdiction of the City of Brussels, the Brussels regional government and the Belgian federal government — will be closed to the public over much of the June 27-28 weekend.