In observance of Mardi Gras, Joe Biden threw beads from the White House balcony onto reporters below – a safe, socially distant celebration among friends.
When it was suggested by some that this was an inappropriate – and likely offensive – thing to do, he pointed out that he had to think of something that allowed him to celebrate while socially distancing. The reporters already being there for the daily press briefing made this logical.
“Happy Fat Tuesday!” Biden yelled, throwing a handful of beads into the press pool. “Eat your donuts and your gumbos and your ice creams and the things. I’m eating ice cream all day, every meal. Jill tells me to stop but it’s Mardi Gras. C’mon!”
Many reporters said that they felt objectified by the beads but relieved Biden stayed out of sniffing range.