President Biden welcomes USC’s women’s basketball team to White House. Here’s what he said
During the University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball team’s White House visit, President Joe Biden called Coach Dawn Staley tough and took a little jab at Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Biden welcomed the team to the White House on Tuesday to celebrate the team’s 2024 national championship.
“I know why you’re so good, you’ve got a girl from Philly running this team,” Biden said of Staley. “I married a Philly girl. You don’t screw around with a Philly girl. Man, they’re tough.”
After remarks from Staley, Biden added, “all of those of you who hold public office in South Carolina you better hope she keeps coaching and doesn’t run.”
Biden also spoke about the growth in popularity of women’s sports.
“I think it’s fair to say everyone, watches women’s sports now everywhere,” Biden said. “When new fans watch for the first time, when young girls see their idols, they see the power of your example.”
During the visit, Biden recognized U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Santee, South Carolina’s lone Democratic member of its federal delegation, and former Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, who now works at the White House.
“Jim I was just bragging about you, you know what I mean, because I’m afraid of you, I don’t want to cross you,” Biden said.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, an ally of former President Donald Trump, also was attendance.
As Biden started his remarks, he pointed at Graham, who was seated next to Clyburn.
“By the way, get him back in line will you? He used to be my close friend, we have to get that way again,” Biden said.
Clyburn responded: “I’m working on it.”
Also attending the visit were U.S. Reps. Russell Fry, R-Surfside Beach, Nancy Mace, R-Isle of Palms, and Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill; state Reps. John King, D-York and Annie McDaniel, D-Fairfield, House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, Columbia City Council Members Tyler Bailey and Tina Herbert, Richland County Council Member Overture Walker, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and Jordan Marsh, who handles federal affairs for Gov. Henry McMaster.
This was USC’s first White House visit as its 2017 and 2022 national championship teams were not able to make the trip. The 2017 squad was invited but chose not to visit, coach Staley said in November of that year.
South Carolina remains special to Biden. In 2020 after losing the first three Democratic nominating contests, Biden won South Carolina’s presidential primary, which propelled him to the nomination and then the White House.
“Truth is, I wouldn’t be here today or not for the support of the great people of South Carolina,” Biden said. “Let me say it again, thank you, thank you, thank you.”
This story was originally published September 10, 2024 at 12:10 PM.
