The NBA’s Golden State Warriors made a visit to the White House on Tuesday, which featured a celebratory photo shoot with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
While the two stood in front of the team, the president decided to take a knee in front of team, while the vice president opted not to. The move from Biden gave the entire photoshoot a very awkward feel, as Biden took the knee for no obvious reason.
Joe Biden elicits a reaction from the Golden State Warriors after he drops to one knee in front of Kamala Harris for a picture with the team.
Harris indicates "I'm not doing that" as she remains standing pic.twitter.com/Dw4GgeYodh
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) January 17, 2023
Biden took the knee as he faced photographers to make the shot complete. Athletes have been taking knees for much of the past decade to protest racial inequalities, in a movement started by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Collin Kaepernick.
Biden’s kneeling had the crowd cheering. Harris laughed as Biden took the knee, and made it clear that she would not be be joining. He stood between two warriors players instead.
Stephen Curry presents Biden and Kamala Harris with a jersey pic.twitter.com/UfuKrhNmW4
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 17, 2023
Stephen Curry speaks at the WH press briefing pic.twitter.com/eMaLwt3avz
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 17, 2023
Stephen Curry speaks at the WH press briefing pic.twitter.com/eMaLwt3avz
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 17, 2023
At a press conference, Curry said that “the place sports has in bringing people together from all walks of life, all backgrounds,” thanking Biden for his work in returning WNBA player Brittney Griner from a penal colony in Russia.
Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team.Stephen Curry is hesitating,therefore invitation is withdrawn!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
In 2017, the Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the finals and received an invitation to celebrate with then-president Donald Trump, but the offer was rescinded after members of the squad, including Curry, voiced objection to the proposed visit.
Trump went on to publicly state that he believed athletes should be fired if they “disrespect our Great American Flag” by not standing for the national anthem.
