First Lady Jill Biden’s suggestion that the Iowa women’s basketball team also make a trip to the White House drew laughs and disbelief from the LSU national championship squad, but it appears the idea won’t become a reality.
The First Lady, who was in Dallas for LSU’s 102-85 win, told ESPN Monday in Denver that she liked the idea of both teams making a trip to the White House later this year.
“I know we’ll have the champions come to the White House, we always do,” Biden said. “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.”
Vanessa Valdivia, press secretary to the First Lady, issued a statement Tuesday backing away from the suggestion that Iowa also be invited.
“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,” Valdivia said in a tweet. “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.”
When word spread that the First Lady suggested bringing Iowa to the White House, LSU players expressed disbelief on social media.
“Michelle OBAMA can we (LSU NATIONAL CHAMPS) come celebrate our win at your house?” LSU point guard Alexis Morris said in a tweet.
LSU star forward Angel Reese summed her thoughts up in two words, “A JOKE.”
🤣🤣🤣A JOKE. https://t.co/9SiOKQNqbj
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 3, 2023
Michelle OBAMA can we (LSU NATIONAL CHAMPS) come celebrate our win at your house ?
— Lex Luthor (@AlexisMorrisWBB) April 4, 2023
Louisiana congressman Troy Carter was among the big names who pushed back against the idea of Iowa also making the trip to the White House.
“Louisiana State University’s Women’s Basketball team won the 2023 NCAA Basketball championship and should enjoy their historic victory singularly,” Carter said in a statement. “With no disrespect to the outstanding players from Iowa, they did not win. The exceptional Louisiana Tigers are the indisputable winners of the championship, and this win is theirs and theirs alone. An invitation to the Iowa team would be at the expense of our Louisiana athletes.”
To The Most Honorable @POTUS and @FLOTUS:@LSUwbkb has won their first @NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship Title with a record-breaking score of 102-85. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/oiKllWMrhk
— Congressman Troy A. Carter (@RepTroyCarter) April 4, 2023
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith also backed up the LSU women on the issue.
Hey @Reese10Angel, I mean absolutely zero disrespect to the First Lady, but you are 1000% correct. That is a bad suggestion. Runner-ups don’t get invited to the White House. Why are we trying to change it now? I completely agree with you, Angel. https://t.co/xqs2cs9Zr9
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 4, 2023
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