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WNBA champion and activist Natasha Cloud took to Twitter Saturday to ask President-elect Joe Biden if the 2019 Mystics championship team could “make up” their White House visit.
“@JoeBiden I know your busy becoming president and have a crazy schedule ahead with Covid, our economy, racial and gender equity, LGBTQ+, etc....But like just wondering ....can we make up our whitehouse visit with you!?,” Cloud, who openly supported Biden for president, asked in a tweet before tagging the Washington Mystics and Head Coach Mike Thibault’s Twitter accounts in the post.
@JoeBiden I know your busy becoming president and have a crazy schedule ahead with Covid, our economy, racial and gender equity, LGBTQ+, etc....
— Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) November 8, 2020
But like just wondering ....can we make up our whitehouse visit with you!? @WashMystics @coachthibault ♀️
After beating the Connecticut Sun in the Finals last year, the team did not receive an invitation from President Trump. The Mystics, who have been vocal about their opposition of the Trump administration in years prior to winning the championship, would not have gone even if they were invited.
“If we were to win the championship, we would not go to the White House,” Cloud said in a 2017 interview with The Washington Post. “I don’t support [Trump’s] views. I don’t support any of his political views, his human rights views. So no, I’m not going to be fake.”
WNBA superstar Elena Delle Donne echoed similar sentiments to The Washington Post. “I wouldn’t go,” Delle Donne said. “I’m pretty sure the whole team just isn’t in support of a lot of the values that the president right now seems to be standing for. So yeah, I don’t think many of us would make that trip.”
The Mystics going to the White House during Biden’s presidency isn’t a long shot whatsoever. Delle Donne and Biden have a bond derives from their Delaware ties. Biden served 36 years as a Senator from Delaware before his two terms as Vice President for Barack Obama from 2009-17. Delle Donne is a native of Wilmington, Delaware. He has publicly supported the star throughout her basketball career.
In 2013, Biden, who was Vice President at the time, congratulated Delle Donne, a University of Delaware forward, on her on her last-second shot against St. John’s.
Congrats Elena @De11eDonne on your amazing last-second shot against St. John’s last night -- great moment for all @udbluehens fans. --VP
— VP Biden (Archived) (@VP44) January 3, 2013
Four years later, When Delle Donne was traded to the Mystics in 2017, Biden sent Delle Donne a note welcoming her to DC.
Thanks for the kind note @JoeBiden! We would love to have you come to a @washmystics game! Home opener is 5/14! pic.twitter.com/mZnqCDOEoh
— Elena Delle Donne (@De11eDonne) March 7, 2017
Biden offered his well wishes to Delle Donne again in 2019 when she was experiencing pain from a herniated disk in her back during last year’s WNBA Finals.
“Elena @De11eDonne is the pride of Delaware. Wishing her well as she recovers — we need more professional athletes like her sharing their support for inclusive sports. I’m looking forward to seeing her back on the court soon,” Biden wrote in a tweet.
Dang joe I love you too much for you to just be showing face for the the pride of Delaware. we play Tuesday at 8pm. literally turn on your tv and you’ll see a badass woman pushing through for her team.
— Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) October 7, 2019
To no one’s surprise, Cloud responded to Biden tweet saying, “Dang joe I love you too much for you to just be showing face for the the pride of Delaware.” She also advised him to watch their game.
Between Natasha Cloud’s support for Biden’s election and Elena Delle Donne’s ties to Biden, we could and should see a Mystics White House visit.