On Friday, President Biden urgently referred to as for an finish to the battle in Gaza. He solemnly mentioned the rule of regulation after former President Donald J. Trump’s legal conviction. And he donned a shiny purple 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 rejoice their second straight Tremendous Bowl win gave the president a number of moments of frivolity in every week replete with sobering occasions.
“Profitable back-to-back — I form of like that,” Mr. Biden stated, hinting on the robust re-election bid he faces in his rematch with Mr. Trump. He added, “When the doubters query in the event you 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 infinite string of marketing campaign occasions. But, with a number of the Nationwide Soccer League’s most well-known names, it carried a sure movie star wattage.
Nonetheless, the highlight was far dimmer than it may 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 evening.
The White Home had beforehand stated it was as much as the Chiefs whether or not to increase an invite to the star musician, who has largely prevented 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 no less than one observe that nods to Mr. Kelce, who, as she sings, is aware of “learn how to ball.”
“Travis, the place’s Taylor?” a journalist shouted close to the top of the ceremony, prompting a murmur of disapproval from the gang. Mr. Kelce, in a light-colored swimsuit and darkish shades, didn’t seem to react to the query.
Mr. Biden nudged Mr. Kelce to the rostrum through 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 finally 12 months’s ceremony however was redirected by quarterback Patrick Mahomes earlier than he may 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 shortly rejoined his teammates.
Additionally in attendance was Harrison Butker, the Chiefs kicker who attracted controversy this month for a graduation deal with at a Catholic liberal arts school during which he steered that being a “homemaker” was a girl’s most essential position. He additionally disparaged Pleasure 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 staff’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 taking pictures in February at a celebration of their Tremendous Bowl win in Kansas Metropolis, Mo., that left one girl lifeless 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.”
Talking to 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 with no consideration.”
Huge 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 a number of other different gamers had already appeared to grasp one in every of Washington’s oldest trades: When requested whether or not they would get entangled in Mr. Biden’s re-election bid, they didn’t reply.
