Jill Biden experiences “Please Clap” moment during speech.

Jill Biden Asks for Applause During Speech

First Lady Jill Biden gave a speech at the Reagan Institute Summit on Education in Washington, D.C. During her remarks, she stated, “I’ve visited red states and blue states and I’ve found that the common values that unite us are deeper than our divisions.” She paused, waiting for a reaction from the crowd, and then said, “I thought you might clap for that.”

The moment was reminiscent of similar moments in American political history where individuals had to ask for applause after delivering what they believed was an applause-worthy line. The first lady’s awkward moment went viral on Twitter and drew a slew of reactions.

Twitter Reactions

• They’re always telling people to praise them. Like Joe Biden’s “Clap, you bastards!” To our troops, no less. Bro, if you gotta tell them to applaud, you didn’t say or do anything to earn the applause. https://t.co/i1M1VOOi7E

  — 𝕃𝕦𝕔𝕜𝕪 Ƒʉͫcͧкͭιͪηͣ 𝕄𝕔𝔾𝕖𝕖‎ (@LuckyMcGee) May 25, 2023

• Please clap… https://t.co/bpgkPBBZhp

  — Kenny5Alive (@kenny5alive) May 25, 2023

• The Bush/Biden mantra: “Please clap ” https://t.co/wNjbNek3c2

  — ZNO (@RaymondZino) May 25, 2023

• What an embarrassment. Only her and her husband have to ask the crowd for an applause it’s sad https://t.co/TGB0qUr6Ay

  — Joey Donnoli (@joeydonnoli) May 25, 2023

• She might be a fake doctor but she has real Jeb! energy https://t.co/pLfecp4JTX

  — Iron Ken (@IronKenX) May 25, 2023

For some, the moment evoked memories of similar moments where individuals had to ask for applause after delivering what they believed was an applause-worthy line. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and President Joe Biden each had similar moments.

Jill Biden was invited to the annual RISE summit for her work in education. “We’re grateful to have Dr. Biden joining us at RISE to share her perspective on our nation’s education system,” said the non-profit’s chief marketing officer Melissa Giller.

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