Women’s Basketball Champs LSU Reject Botched Biden White House Invite, Star Player Says

LSU teammates plan to visit the Obama’s instead

The Louisiana State University women’s basketball team has decided not to accept an invitation to visit the White House to celebrate their victory in the NCAA championship. The decision came after First Lady Jill Biden proposed inviting the losing University of Iowa team as well.

Star player Angel Reese responded, ” [Iowa] can have that spotlight. We’ll go to the Obamas’, I’m gonna see Michelle. I’m gonna see Barack”.

Biden’s office faced accusations of racism and disrespect towards the mostly Black champions from LSU after she suggested that both teams should be invited. Afterward, the first lady’s spokeswoman stated that the comments were “intended to applaud the historic game and all women athletes.” 

“If we were to lose, we would not be getting invited to the White House,” Reese said in a podcast. She added that she “doesn’t accept” the apology offered by Biden’s office. Reese’s teammate, Alexis Morris, requested on Twitter if the team could “come celebrate our win at your house” following Biden’s snub.

Biden’s office clarified that she “looks forward to celebrating the LSU Tigers on their championship win at the White House,” seemingly closing the door on her idea of bringing both teams. 

Biden’s comment drew criticism on social media from users who accused her of favoring the mostly white Iowa team over LSU by proposing that they celebrated together. Reese had initially called this proposal “a joke.”

“Jill Biden inviting Iowa to the White House is a joke, and it honestly feels like racism,” one Twitter user said. “Bigoted Bidens showing their true colors,” said another.

Democratic Louisiana congressman Troy Carter also criticized the first lady on Twitter, saying that her idea would diminish the LSU Tigers’ achievement.

“With no disrespect to the outstanding players of the Iowa women’s team … they did not win,” Carter said. He added that the LSU women’s team should “enjoy this historic victory singularly.”