The White House cut a live broadcast of a speech on Friday after a woman standing behind President Joe Biden collapsed.
The president was playing host to the national championship-winning Louisiana State University women’s basketball team.
Biden hailed the women for their success as they stood together behind the podium.
“You know, I used to tell our daughters, our granddaughters, they can do anything at all. Anything any man can do, they can do,” Biden said.
He added, “That’s what America’s all about — possibilities. That’s what this team is about — incredible athletes redefining what’s possible.”
As Biden noted that the White House would next host the championship-winning University of Connecticut men’s basketball team, a commotion behind him interrupted his remarks.
Biden stopped speaking as people rushed forward to help the young woman who had fainted, a player identified as freshman forward Sa’Myah Smith.
“Folks, it’s OK,” Biden said.
The White House feed of the event was then cut.
A C-SPAN camera continued rolling throughout the next few minutes as Smith was tended to.
“It’s a lot of standing. I apologize,” Biden said, later adding, “It’s happened lots of times.”
LSU women’s basketball player Sa’Myah Smith faints while President Biden delivers remarks at the White House. pic.twitter.com/hKRccCBGou
— CSPAN (@cspan) May 26, 2023
After a roughly six-minute delay, Smith was escorted out of the room and Biden continued his speech.
Biden had been speaking for about 15 minutes when she collapsed.
Smith is a native of Desoto, Texas, and played in 36 games during the Tigers’ championship season.
POOTUS Flatulence strikes again!
I would collapse too if had to stand and listen to that fucking asshole for15 minutes. The smell of the bullshit alone would make me faint.