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First Lady Jill Biden caused controversy when she suggested that the Iowa Hawkeyes, the runners-up, visit the White House along with the LSU Lady Tigers, who had just won the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament championship game. Traditionally, only the winners of a national championship receive a White House invitation. Biden praised Iowa's sportsmanship and said, I know we'll have the champions come to the White House, we always do. So, we hope LSU will come. But, you know, I'm going to tell Joe I think Iowa should come, too, because they played such a good game. LSU forward Angel Reese rejected Biden's explanation, and the team refused to meet with the First Lady before the national championship game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 2nd April 2023 |
| Location | Colorado State Capitol, Denver |
| Occasion | NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament championship game |
| Teams | LSU Lady Tigers and Iowa Hawkeyes |
| Score | LSU 102-85 Iowa |
| LSU Star Player | Angel Reese |
| Iowa Star Player | Caitlin Clark |
| Comments by Jill Biden | "I know we'll have the champions come to the White House, we always do. So, we hope LSU will come. But, you know, I'm going to tell Joe I think Iowa should come, too, because they played such a good game." |
| Backtracking by Jill Biden | "Her comments in Colorado were intended to applaud the historic game and all women athletes. She looks forward to celebrating the LSU Tigers on their championship win at the White House." |
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What You'll Learn
Jill Biden's comments about LSU and Iowa at the White House
Following the NCAA championship game between LSU and Iowa, First Lady Jill Biden commented that she wanted the defeated Iowa women's basketball team to be invited to the White House, in addition to the national title winner, LSU. Her exact words were, "I know we'll have the champions come to the White House, we always do. So, we hope LSU will come. But, you know, I'm going to tell Joe I think Iowa should come, too, because they played such a good game."
This proposal caused outrage on social media, with many, including LSU star Angel Reese, deriding the idea. Reese tweeted that it was "a joke" and said that the team had no interest in visiting the White House. She also rejected the First Lady's subsequent explanation for the invitation, saying, "I don't accept that."
The First Lady's press secretary, Vanessa Valdivia, later clarified the comments, stating that Dr. Biden's "comments in Colorado were intended to applaud the historic game and all women athletes. She looks forward to celebrating the LSU Tigers on their championship win at the White House."
Despite the controversy, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed the LSU women's basketball team to the White House on Friday to celebrate their recent national championship.
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LSU Lady Tigers win the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament
The LSU Lady Tigers won the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, beating Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85 in the championship game. This win sparked controversy, as First Lady Jill Biden suggested that both LSU and Iowa should be invited to the White House, breaking with the tradition that only the winners of a national championship receive a White House invitation. Biden's comments were criticised on social media, with LSU's Angel Reese tweeting derisively about the suggestion. Biden's press secretary later clarified the comments, stating that the First Lady intended to applaud the historic game and all women athletes and looked forward to celebrating the LSU Tigers at the White House.
The LSU Lady Tigers' victory marked a significant moment in women's sports and showcased the team's dominance in the championship run. Their success also contributed to the growing popularity of women's basketball. The team's outstanding performance was recognised and celebrated by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House, honouring their championship win.
The LSU Lady Tigers' triumph in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament was not just a sporting achievement but also carried racial implications due to the team's predominantly Black composition. The rivalry between LSU and the predominantly white Iowa team reflected a broader battle in the country between Black and white athletes. The controversy was further fuelled by LSU's Angel Reese, who deployed a "'you can't see me' taunt" towards Iowa's Caitlin Clark, sparking backlash and accusations of unsportsmanlike behaviour.
Angel Reese, a sophomore forward for the LSU Lady Tigers, was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player. Her exceptional performance contributed to the team's victory and earned her recognition and accolades. However, the controversy surrounding First Lady Jill Biden's comments about inviting both LSU and Iowa to the White House created additional tension, with Reese expressing her disagreement and stating that the Tigers would rather visit the Obamas.
The LSU Lady Tigers' victory in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament was a significant achievement, and their success extended beyond the basketball court. The team's win highlighted the advancements and increasing popularity of women's sports. It also brought to light ongoing racial discussions and the complexities of rivalry between athletes from different racial backgrounds. The LSU Lady Tigers' triumph served as a testament to their talent and resilience, leaving a lasting impact on women's basketball and sparking important conversations about race in sports.
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LSU's Angel Reese rejects Jill Biden's White House invite
LSUs Angel Reese rejects Jill Biden's White House invite
LSU Tigers basketball star Angel Reese has rejected First Lady Jill Biden's invitation to the White House, following her team's NCAA championship win. The snub came after Dr. Biden suggested that both LSU and the Iowa Hawkeyes, the team they defeated in the final, should be invited to the White House—a break from the tradition of only the champions receiving an invite.
Reese, a sophomore forward for the LSU women's basketball team, was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player after her team's 102-85 victory over Iowa. Speaking on the Paper Route Podcast, Reese expressed her disappointment in President Joe Biden for not picking her team to win the national tournament. She also stated that she felt disrespected by Dr. Biden's invitation to both teams, suggesting that it was influenced by the racial dynamics between the predominantly Black LSU team and the predominantly white Iowa team.
"I just know if the roles were reversed, it wouldn't be the same," Reese said. "If we were to lose, we would not be getting invited to the White House... Stuff like that, it bothers me. Because you are a woman, at the end of the day. White, black, it doesn't matter, you're supposed to be standing behind us before anything, so it's hard to see things like that and not to comment on it."
In response to the backlash, Dr. Biden's press secretary issued a statement clarifying the First Lady's comments:
> "The First Lady loved watching the NCAA women's basketball championship game alongside young student athletes and admires how far women have advanced in sports since the passing of Title IX. Her comments in Colorado were intended to applaud the historic game and all women athletes. She looks forward to celebrating the LSU Tigers on their championship win at the White House."
Despite the clarification, Reese remained unmoved, tweeting a link to a story on Jill Biden with the caption "a joke." LSU forward Sa'Myah Smith also made headlines during the White House visit when she fainted while standing on risers during the ceremony.
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LSU forward faints during Biden's speech at the White House
On Friday, May 26, 2023, LSU forward Sa'Myah Smith fainted during President Joe Biden's speech at the White House, where the Louisiana State University (LSU) women's basketball team was honored for their recent national championship win. The ceremony was briefly interrupted as Smith collapsed while standing on risers in the East Room, and medical personnel rushed to her aid. Smith was eventually helped out of the room in a wheelchair, and both President Biden and Coach Kim Mulkey assured the audience that she was doing okay but would be checked out as a precaution.
The LSU women's basketball team's visit to the White House followed a racially charged controversy surrounding First Lady Dr. Jill Biden's suggestion that both LSU and their opponents, the Iowa Hawkeyes, should be invited to the White House. Traditionally, only the winners of a national championship receive this honor. The suggestion sparked backlash, particularly from LSU star Angel Reese, who expressed her displeasure and initially refused to accept the First Lady's apology.
Dr. Biden's comment added fuel to the fire of an already tense rivalry between the predominantly Black LSU women's team and the predominantly white Iowa team. The controversy centered around LSU's Angel Reese and her use of a "'you can't see me' taunt" on the court, which some deemed disrespectful and unsportsmanlike. However, it was noted that Iowa's Caitlin Clark had used the same taunt without facing similar criticism.
In the end, the Bidens and Vice President Harris praised the LSU team not only for their championship victory but also for their contribution to growing the popularity of women's sports. President Biden emphasized the need to support women's sports consistently throughout the year and across all seasons.
As for Sa'Myah Smith, she took to Twitter after the incident, reassuring her well-wishers that she was feeling well, in good spirits, and appreciated the first responders and everyone who helped her.
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LSU-Iowa rivalry and racial controversy
The LSU-Iowa rivalry and racial controversy refer to the events surrounding the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament championship game between the LSU Lady Tigers and the Iowa Hawkeyes. The LSU team is predominantly Black, while the Iowa team is predominantly white. LSU defeated Iowa, with LSU's Angel Reese and Iowa's Caitlin Clark becoming the faces of the rivalry.
The controversy began when Reese used WWE superstar John Cena's "you can't see me" taunt on the court. While many called it disrespectful, the same taunt had been used by Clark, who was seen as entertaining and competitive and even received John Cena's approval. This double standard sparked accusations of racism and sexism, with critics pointing out that Black women in sports are often held to different and higher standards than their white counterparts.
The racial controversy intensified when First Lady Jill Biden suggested that both LSU and Iowa should be invited to the White House, breaking with the tradition of only inviting the championship-winning team. Biden's suggestion was widely criticized, with some interpreting it as diminishing LSU's victory and perpetuating the idea that Black people have to work harder to receive the same recognition as whites. Angel Reese herself derided the suggestion, tweeting that it was "a joke."
The LSU-Iowa rivalry and the subsequent racial controversy brought attention to the broader issues of racism, sexism, and privilege in U.S. sports. It sparked discussions about the different ways Black and white female athletes are perceived and treated, with some commentators noting that LSU players were often described in more negative terms than their white counterparts.
Despite the controversy, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden eventually welcomed the LSU women's basketball team to the White House to celebrate their national championship.
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Frequently asked questions
Following LSU's victory over Iowa, First Lady Jill Biden said that she wanted the defeated Iowa women's basketball team to be invited to the White House in addition to the national title winner LSU.
LSU basketball star Angel Reese rejected Jill Biden's White House invite explanation, saying, "I don't accept that".
Yes, through her press secretary, Vanessa Valdivia, Jill Biden walked back on her comments, saying, "Her comments in Colorado were intended to applaud the historic game and all women athletes. She looks forward to celebrating the LSU Tigers on their championship win at the White House."
