Louisiana State University’s Angel Reese gave Jill Biden two words after she suggested that both the winner and runner-up of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship visit the White House.
“joke,” Reese tweeted.
Biden took part in Sunday’s game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, where Reese and her team beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85.
Biden congratulated both teams on Monday During remarks to Colorado legislators in Denver. Biden said the matchup was a “great game,” banning gender-based discrimination in colleges and leading generations of female athletes since 1972. He said it was a product of the battle over Title IX.
She then spoke about inviting the two teams to the White House.
“I know the champions are coming to the White House. I always do. So I hope LSU comes, but I’m going to tell Joe I think Iowa should come too. Good game.” she said.
Long before the nasty Rose Garden meeting between rivals LSU and Iowa, Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bruder removed the team from White House operations.
“I appreciate the First Lady’s kindness, but a day at the White House should be just for the champions, LSU and Manager Malkey,” Brooker said. said in a statement Kudos to the Tigers and Hall of Fame coaches Tuesday afternoon, Kim Malkey.
“We welcome the First Lady and the President to Iowa’s ‘home’ – Carver Hawkeye Arena – anytime! “
Iowa lost by 17 points, but Biden may have been referring to Hawkeye Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking scoring. Clark, 21, scored the most points in one NCAA basketball tournament (men’s or women’s) with his 191 points.She was also the first player to have her Consecutive 40 point game into the history of the NCAA Tournament.
LSU did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The first lady’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on her remarks.
The first lady’s press secretary, Vanessa Valdivia, tweeted that Biden is enjoying the tournament and watching the progress of female athletes.It was not immediately clear which teams would be invited to the White House.
There were other tweets sharing Reese’s irritation after Biden’s remarks on Monday.
“Hey @Reese10Angel, I mean absolutely no disrespect to the First Lady, but you’re 1000% right,” sports commentator Stephen A. Smith tweeted“That’s a bad proposition. The runner-up won’t be invited to the White House. Why are you trying to change that now? I totally agree with you, Angel.”
Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo. asked in a tweet The women of LSU, a predominantly black team who defeated a predominantly white team, get their moment to shine.
“When a black woman takes the lead, people start moving the goalposts and changing the rules. No. Iowa played a good game, but let’s value the LSU players as much as any other winning team.” Bush writes. “I understand it’s polite, but please don’t.”
BlackWomenViews Media founder Reecie Colbert tweeted that LSU’s treatment is a double standard.
“Well, since when was #2 invited to WH with the Champs? she wrote.
Invitation to Iowa as “participation trophy” and was suggested If Iowa had won, LSU would not have been invited.
The double standards many pointed out appeared to be the second time Reese had faced them since winning the championship on Sunday.
In the final game, the 20-year-old Reese gestured to Clarke. Many were quick to call it “classless.” A gesture in which Reese puts his hand in front of his face and points to his ring finger to imply that the team will win the game mimicked a gesture Clark had made during the previous game.
While Clark appeared to receive virtually no backlash, Reese received countless tweets about her demeanor. It started trending.
Many including NBA stars Shaquille O’Neal and lebron jamesrushed to Reese’s defense, calling the backlash hypocritical and racist.
