First lady Jill Biden’s response to the suggestion that runner-up Iowa should join NCAA women’s basketball champion LSU for a visit to the White House did not sit well with Tigers star Angel Reese.
Prompted by a discussion of Biden’s comments during an appearance Wednesday on the “Paper Route Podcast,” Reese said the Tigers should be celebrating the title with former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama instead of Joe and Jill Biden.
Jill Biden, in an appearance in Denver on Monday, praised Iowa athletes and congratulated both teams. He also said that as part of the long-standing tradition of champions visiting the White House, Iowa should also come “because they played a really good game.”
The Tigers defeated Iowa 102-85 for the title in Dallas on Saturday.
Reese on Monday called Jill Biden’s suggestion “a joke.”
Joe Biden invited LSU and men’s champion Connecticut to the White House on Tuesday without mentioning Iowa. Vanessa Valdivia, a spokeswoman for Jill Biden, said the first lady was not disparaging LSU and that her comments were meant to praise the historic game and all female athletes.
“I will not lie to you, I do not accept apologies because, what do you say. I said what I said. And like, you can’t take back certain things that you say,” Reese told podcast hosts Brandon Marshall and Ashley Nicole Moss.
“I mean, you feel like you have to come because of exercise, right?” added Reese. “He can have that spotlight. We will go to the Obamas. We will see Michelle. We will see Barack.
After LSU’s win, coach Kim Mulkey said he would go to the White House if invited. Reese said Wednesday he wasn’t sure if he would leave.
Reese faced criticism on social media for waving her hand in front of Iowa star Caitlin Clark while staring at Clark during the game. Clark, The Associated Press Player of the Year, made a move similar to that of a certain nobody during Iowa’s victory over Louisville in the Elite Eight.