President Biden, hosting the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team at the White House on Tuesday, quipped that he's actually not the boss when it comes to one particular member of Congress.
“My name is Joe Biden. I work for Jim Clyburn,” he said to laughter in the room. “Folks, welcome. Welcome to the White House. The national champions, University of South Carolina.”
The basketball team was honored at the White House after winning the 2023-2024 national championship last spring. Later in the day, Biden hosted the national champion University of Connecticut men’s basketball team.
Clyburn is one of the president’s most important allies in Congress and widely considered responsible for Biden’s primary victory in South Carolina that propelled him to the nomination in 2020. When Biden’s 2020 candidacy looked all but over, Clyburn endorsed him, a move that boosted him to ultimately win the presidential nomination.
Biden awarded the Medal of Freedom to Clyburn in May, during which Biden acknowledged that Clyburn's endorsement largely led to his presidency.
“I would not be standing here as president, making these awards, if not for Jim,” Biden said. “Jim is the best, thank you.”
Clyburn declared that he’s “a Biden-Harris person” in June when Biden was deciding his political future following his dismal debate performance. The congressman added at the time, “I’m going to be for Harris if Biden ain’t there.”
Clyburn quickly endorsed Harris when Biden dropped out of the race in July.
