On Friday, President Biden urgently referred to as for an finish to the warfare in Gaza. He solemnly mentioned the rule of legislation after former President Donald J. Trump’s prison conviction. And he donned a shiny crimson helmet to the whoops and cheers of a pack of soccer gamers and followers.
The go to to the White Home by the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs to have fun their second straight Tremendous Bowl win gave the president a number of moments of frivolity in every week replete with sobering occasions.
“Successful back-to-back — I form of like that,” Mr. Biden stated, hinting on the powerful re-election bid he faces in his rematch with Mr. Trump. He added, “When the doubters query for those who can pull it off once more, imagine me, I do know what that looks like.”
The South Garden celebration was a blip on the president’s schedule, squeezed between a gathering with the prime minister of Belgium and his weekend plans in Rehoboth Seaside, Del., throughout a month with an limitless string of marketing campaign occasions. But, with a few of the Nationwide Soccer League’s most well-known names, it carried a sure celeb wattage.
Nonetheless, the highlight was far dimmer than it might have been. Taylor Swift didn’t make the journey along with her boyfriend, the star tight finish Travis Kelce, as she was touring in Europe and had carried out in Madrid on Thursday night time.
The White Home had beforehand stated it was as much as the Chiefs whether or not to lengthen an invite to the star musician, who has largely averted embroiling herself in politics. She endorsed Mr. Biden in 2020, resulting in hypothesis about whether or not she would achieve this once more.
The ceremony on the South Garden got here after the Chiefs’ Tremendous Bowl win in February, however simply over a month after Ms. Swift launched her newest album, which has at the least one observe that nods to Mr. Kelce, who, as she sings, is aware of “how you can ball.”
“Travis, the place’s Taylor?” a journalist shouted close to the top of the ceremony, prompting a murmur of disapproval from the group. Mr. Kelce, in a light-colored go well with and darkish shades, didn’t seem to react to the query.
Mr. Biden nudged Mr. Kelce to the rostrum throughout the ceremony, however stated that he was apprehensive: “I’d have Travis come up right here, however God solely is aware of what he’d say.”
Mr. Kelce, who sneaked as much as the microphone ultimately 12 months’s ceremony however was redirected by quarterback Patrick Mahomes earlier than he might make any remarks, was much less daring on Friday.
“They advised me if I come up right here, I’d get tased,” Mr. Kelce joked on the podium. He then rapidly rejoined his teammates.
Additionally in attendance was Harrison Butker, the Chiefs kicker who attracted controversy this month for a graduation handle at a Catholic liberal arts school wherein he prompt that being a “homemaker” was a lady’s most vital function. He additionally disparaged Satisfaction Month, drawing rebukes from L.G.B.T.Q. teams. Mr. Butker stood silently within the again row alongside his teammates.
Coach Andy Reid and Clark Hunt, the crew’s chief govt, rounded out the ceremony by giving Mr. Biden a Chiefs helmet to go along with the customized jersey he was introduced with final 12 months. Mr. Reid scrambled to drag off Mr. Biden’s aviators because the president slipped it on to cheers of “Do it, do it!”
Mr. Biden praised the Chiefs for his or her response to a capturing in February at a celebration of their Tremendous Bowl win in Kansas Metropolis, Mo., that left one girl useless and dozens wounded, together with a number of youngsters.
“One teen remembers Coach Reid giving him a hug, saying, ‘Simply breathe, simply breathe,’” Mr. Biden stated. He added, “As a rustic, we’ve to do extra to cease the tragic shootings earlier than they occur.”
Chatting with reporters shortly after the ceremony on the South Garden, Mr. Mahomes stated it was particular to see the president don a Chiefs helmet. “We didn’t anticipate that,” he stated, including, “You don’t take these moments without any consideration.”
Vast receiver Xavier Worthy, who was drafted by the Chiefs final month, paused a White Home tour to step as much as the rostrum contained in the briefing room and tease a 3rd successful season: “Three-peat, child.”
He and several other different gamers had already appeared to grasp considered one of Washington’s oldest trades: When requested whether or not they would become involved in Mr. Biden’s re-election bid, they didn’t reply.
