French President Francois Hollande announced he still plans to visit the White House on Feb. 11 despite recently submerged reports of his affair with a French actress, Reuters reported.
Last week, the french magazine Closure released reports and pictures of Hollande's affair with French actress Julie Gayet who also appeared in his presidential campaign video.
Hollande confirmed his trip to the United States for talks with President Barack Obama will not be cancelled or postponed because of the reports, according to Reuters. Hollande will also attend the state dinner.
Jay Carney, a White House spokesman, asked the French government who the president would bring with him to the dinner since the invitation had been extended to Hollande's current partner, journalist Valerie Trierweiler, who is considered France's first lady, Reuters reported .
"We look forward to hosting the president of France here in February," Carney said, according to Reuters. "This is our longest and most enduring alliance."
According to reports, Trierweiler was hospitalized shortly after Closure published the pictures of Hollande wearing a motorcycle helmet while being dropped off and picked up from Gayet's home, Reuters reported. She is still in the hospital and is recovering "from shock."
During a press conference held in Paris on New Years day, Hollande dodged questions regarding the magazine's published pictures and the affair and instead talked about easing company taxes, cutting labor charges and trimming public spending to help the economy, Reuters reported.
Hollande did say he would clarify the reports before his trip to the White House and added that "these are painful moments ... This is neither the place nor the time to (discuss) that," according to Reuters.
