First Lady Jill Biden Explains Why She Suggested Iowa Women’s Basketball Team Also Receives An Invite To The White House After Losing National Championship To LSU

First Lady Jill Biden Explains Why She Suggested Iowa Women’s Basketball Team Also Receives An Invite To The White House After Losing National Championship To LSU

The First Lady’s goal of inclusivity has landed her in the hot seat!

This morning (Apr. 4) the First Lady’s press secretary spoke on behalf of Jill Biden as she faces backlash for suggesting Iowa women’s basketball team also receives an invite to the White House, despite their recent loss to LSU. Vanessa Valdivia wrote:

“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.”

She added:

“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.”

On Monday (Apr. 3)  Jill Biden made headlines for sharing her plans to ask her husband — President Joe Biden — if Iowa women’s basketball team can be invited to the White House alongside the national champions — Louisiana State University. Commonly, championship winners get an invite to the White House to celebrate their win and season. 

According to reports, Jill Biden’s controversial comments were made at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. She said, 

“I know we’ll have the champions come to the White House; we always do. So, we’ll have LSU come.” 

However, this year she offered the losers a spot in the presidential residence for their good sportsmanship. Jill added:

“But, you know, I’m going to tell Joe, I think Iowa should come too, because they played such a good game. Right? So winners and losers, that’s sportsmanship!”

First lady Dr. Jill Biden says she wants the LSU women's basketball team to come to the White House — but her suggestion that Iowa's team, which lost the NCAA championship, should also get an invite is getting mixed reactions. pic.twitter.com/OoU80QLzWf

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) April 4, 2023

On Sunday (Apr. 2) LSU made headlines after their 102-85 win over Iowa made history as the most-viewed NCAA women’s basketball game, reaching up to 9.9 million viewers. 

“It’s year 1 baby. What they gone say now? We beat every odd that they said we couldn’t beat. We had 9 new pieces. Came in year 2, as long as we believed in each other we got to where we wanted to be and we’re national champions now!”

– Angel Reese #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/P3RTAKM901

— Women’s Hoopz (@WBBWorldWide) April 2, 2023

Following Jill Biden’s initial comments, Angel Reese – an LSU player who was crowned the women’s NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player – took to Twitter to slam the double-invitation idea. She retweeted an article with Jill Biden’s comments and said, 

“A JOKE.”

Many celebrities, including ESPN spokesperson Stephen A. Smith, quoted Reese’s tweet to show their support for her comment toward the first lady. Stephen A. Smith wrote:

“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.”

What are your thoughts on Iowa possibly being invited to the White House despite tradition? Tell us below.

[VIA 1,2]