First lady Jill Biden announced Monday that the White House would be inviting the LSU women's basketball team to visit after its 102-85 title game victory over Iowa.
However, Biden, who was in attendance for LSU's victory, also expressed an interest in bringing the Hawkeyes along as part of the celebration.
"I know we'll have the champions come to the White House; we always do. So, we hope LSU will come," she said Monday at the Colorado State Capitol, per ESPN. "But, you know, I'm going to tell Joe I think Iowa should come too, because they played such a good game."
Naturally, that didn't sit well with everyone — especially not LSU star Angel Reese.
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Reese took to Twitter shortly after Biden's comments circulated to clap back at the first lady's proposal. "Bayou Barbie" made her views on the matter clear in one short tweet.
🤣🤣🤣A JOKE. https://t.co/9SiOKQNqbj
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 3, 2023
Iowa coach Lisa Bluder also rejected the First Lady's idea, saying a day should be dedicated to the champions but inviting the Biden's up to campus in Iowa City.
I gratefully acknowledge the First Lady’s sentiments, but a day at the White House should belong solely to the champion, LSU and Coach Mulkey. We would welcome the First Lady and President to come to Iowa’s “House” – Carver Hawkeye Arena — any time!
— Lisa Bluder (@LisaBluder) April 4, 2023
The suggestion by Biden does not appear likely to come to fruition. The First Lady's press secretary appeared to clarify Biden's remarks by saying that her comments were meant to celebrate the game, and that the White House was looking forward to hosting LSU.
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.
— Vanessa Valdivia (@vvaldivia46) April 4, 2023
When speaking on "I AM ATHLETE" podcast, Reese said the Tigers should celebrate with President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama rather than the Bidens.
"I'm not going to lie to you, I don't accept the apology because of, you said what you said. I said what I said. And like, you can't go back on certain things that you say," Reese said on the podcast.
Reese faced criticism for mocking Iowa star Caitlin Clark with a "You Can't See Me" taunt late in LSU's sizable victory. Many accused Reese of lacking decorum in winning while others, like Shaquille O'Neal and LeBron James, jumped to Reese's defense.
FACTS!!!! Love to see it https://t.co/YrrlIyg90S
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 3, 2023
Reese's defenders were quick to point out that Clark had made the gesture several times during the NCAA Tournament. The most notable instance came in Iowa's Elite Eight against Louisville.
Clark made the gesture to nobody in particular, but it still didn't receive nearly as much vitriol as Reese's did on social media.
MORE: Why Shaquille O'Neal so quickly jumped to the defense of LSU's Angel Reese
This wasn't a surprise to Reese, who explained after the win that she was firmly expecting the criticism she received after the game. She didn't let it phase her.
"All year I was critiqued about who I was," Reese said. "The narrative, I don’t fit the narrative, I don’t fit into the box y’all want me to be in. I’m too hood, I’m too ghetto, y’all told me that all year. But when other people do it, y’all don’t say nothing," Reese said. "So this is for the girls that look like me, that’s gonna speak up on what they believe in.
It’s unapologetically you. And that’s what I did tonight. It was bigger than me tonight. It was bigger. Twitter is gonna go on a rage every time and, I mean, I’m happy. I feel like I’ve helped grow women’s basketball this year.
All that's to say that it's easy to understand why Reese was frustrated by Biden's suggestion. While champions of major sporting events are often invited to the White House, runner-ups are not. So, why should Iowa become an exception after LSU defeated them?
MORE: LSU's Angel Reese mocks Iowa's Caitlin Clark with viral taunt
One could make a case that Iowa's tournament run was particularly important in helping to grow the women's game, a message that Biden focused on during her Monday news conference.
"I'm old enough that I remember when we got Title IX," she said. "We fought so hard, right? We fought so hard. And look at where women's sports have come today."
And indeed, Biden's press secretary explained Tuesday that the first lady's comments were intended to celebrate the success of the women's tournament; they weren't made to slight LSU.
"Her comments in Colorado were intended to applaud the historic game and all women athletes," the secretary said, per Philip Lewis of the Huffington Post. "She looks forward to celebrating the LSU Tigers on their championship win at the White House."
So, the Tigers are invited to the White House. Now, basketball fans will eagerly await news about whether the Bidens will extend the same courtesy to the Hawkeyes.