In an embarrassing White House incident on Wednesday perhaps suggestive of strife between the first couple, President Joe Biden failed to join in standing ovation given to his wife Jill, an omission for which she swiftly called him out, as the Daily Wire reports.
The bizarre scenario took place in the East Room during an unveiling ceremony for the official portraits of former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.
During the event, Mrs. Biden was introduced by Mrs. Obama, something which prompted those in attendance to rise and applaud enthusiastically – with one notable exception.
Noticing that her husband did not join in the warm acknowledgment, after the clapping subsided, Mrs. Biden said to the crowd, "Honestly, everyone stood but Joe."
Chastened and rebuked, the president then rose and started clapping for his spouse, spurring laughter and another round of applause from those gathered. WATCH:
Michelle Obama introduces Jill Biden, the room gives her a standing ovation, Jill then says "Honestly, everyone stood but Joe."
Joe Biden then gets up and claps for her. pic.twitter.com/vh6nT7F29w
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) September 7, 2022
The possible tension between the president and first lady over the apparent slight was not the only awkwardness reportedly in the air at the event, with the Washington Post noting that there remains lingering tensions between the Obama and Biden camps that date back years.
According to the outlet, there remains a long-simmering tension, and even some jealousy, between the circles around Obama and Biden, and that the much-touted "bromance" between the two men was more hype than substance.
The White House, however, worked to tamp down talk of any hostility, saying, "President Biden and Dr. Biden are honored to have former President Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama back to the White House for the unveiling of their portraits...," but, given her husband's lack of gallantry in the East Room, the current first lady's future recollections of this particular occasion may not be happy ones.