First Lady Jill Biden faced an unexpected situation during her appearance at the Reagan Institute Summit on Education (RISE) in Washington, D.C. She had anticipated a positive response to her statement, which aimed to emphasize shared values that transcend political divisions.
However, to her surprise, the audience remained silent, prompting her to urge them to applaud.
During her speech, Biden reflected on her extensive travels across states representing both political parties, stating, “I’ve visited red states and blue states, and I’ve discovered that the common values that unite us run deeper than our divisions.”
After a brief pause, she expected a reaction from the audience but received none. In an attempt to elicit the desired response, she ad-libbed, “I thought you might clap for that.” The audience then promptly complied.
The Reagan Institute Summit on Education is an annual conference organized by the Ronald Reagan Foundation and Institute, bringing together education leaders from across the country.
In addition to the first lady’s remarks, this year’s event included speeches by former Arkansas Republican Governor Asa Hutchison and Maryland Democrat Governor Wes Moore.
The conference focused on policy and practices spanning early childhood through postsecondary education, addressing the urgent need for education reform as the United States recovers from the challenges posed by the global pandemic.
The Reagan Foundation emphasized the importance of modernizing the education system and preparing for the future challenges of the 22nd century.
Following the incident, social media users drew comparisons between Jill Biden’s situation and a memorable moment from the 2016 presidential campaign involving former Republican candidate Jeb Bush.
During a campaign event in New Hampshire, Bush passionately called for a president who demonstrates a commitment to national security interests but with a quieter demeanor.
However, faced with silence from the crowd, he eventually asked, “Please clap.” This remark became a notable talking point during the election cycle.
On Twitter, users took the opportunity to comment on the first lady’s experience, with some describing it as “awkward” and others sharing a GIF of Jeb Bush’s plea for applause. One user remarked pointedly, “Nobody clapped because they don’t believe you. Sorry.”
Despite the comparisons made between the two incidents, Jill Biden’s encounter at the summit highlighted the unpredictability and occasional challenges faced by public figures when seeking engagement and support from an audience.