LSU’s Angel Reese scoffs at Jill Biden’s pitch to invite Iowa to White House

First Lady Jill Biden wants to invite the Iowa women’s basketball team to the White House in addition to national champion LSU.

Biden attended Sunday’s game in Dallas, then spoke Monday at the Colorado Capitol in Denver.

“I know we’ll have the champions come to the White House, we always do. So, we hope LSU will come,” she said. “But, you know, I’m going to tell Joe I think Iowa should come, too, because they played such a good game.”

Angel Reese, who was named the most outstanding player of the Final Four, took issue with Biden’s suggestion on Twitter, calling it “a joke.” She was backed up by many others in sports and sports media, including A’ja Wilson and Stephen A. Smith.

¿?¿?¿?¿? https://t.co/BZnwnKxuwA pic.twitter.com/q6zHBsYgwf

— A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) April 4, 2023

“Hey @Reese10Angel, I mean absolutely zero disrespect to the First Lady, but you are 1000% correct,” Smith wrote. “That is a bad suggestion. Runners-up don’t get invited to the White House. Why are we trying to change it now? I completely agree with you, Angel.”

Washington Mystics guard Kristi Toliver also agreed with Reese.

Nah bro…no, no, no, no. https://t.co/dU59BQlVrq

— Kristi Toliver (@KristiToliver) April 4, 2023

Biden’s press secretary later clarified the First Lady’s comments, saying Tuesday 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.”

As for Iowa’s part, Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark thanked Biden for attending the game, but she agreed that the honor White House visit should belong to LSU alone.

“I don’t think runner-ups usually go to the White House,” Clark said. “I think LSU should enjoy that moment for them. ”

LSU coach Kim Mulkey said she would go to the White House if her team was invited.

"I don't think runner-ups usually go to the White House. I think LSU should enjoy that moment for them."

—Caitlin Clark on if Iowa should join LSU at the White House (via @OTLonESPN) pic.twitter.com/M35mGY8oPp

— ESPN (@espn) April 4, 2023