Joe Biden surprises guests at the National Italian American Foundation Gala
Christopher Tremoglie
Video Embed
The National Italian American Foundation held its annual gala last night in Washington, D.C.
The evening featured the usual grace, elegance, sophistication, and astonishment it has long been known for during its previous 47 galas. It’s an event to honor the contributions of Italian Americans to the nation during Italian American Culture and Heritage Month.
JEFF LANDRY FLIPS LOUISIANA GOVERNOR’S MANSION IN FIRST GOP WIN IN EIGHT YEARS
Jill Biden, the first Italian-American first lady in the nation’s history, was one of the event’s honored guests. She discussed her cultural upbringing and what it is like to be an Italian American.
“Thank you, John. You, Robert, and the entire NIAF leadership team do so much to keep our heritage alive. Thank you for supporting extraordinary Italian Americans, like these five incredible honorees, and inspiring the next generation of leaders,” Biden said.
“And the crowd that’s here is a testament to the power of that work and shows us how high this community can rise, from Congress and the Supreme Court to businesses and non-profits,” Biden said. “And how wonderful is it to have the Italian Airforce Band with us tonight? I’m so proud to be Italian American and to celebrate that heritage together.”
She also made a surprise announcement that stunned the guests in attendance. NIAF chronicled the sequence of events on its X account, formerly known as Twitter.
“Last night at the NIAF 48th Anniversary Gala, the First Lady opened the evening with a heartfelt speech about growing up in an Italian American household and the values that are characteristic of Italian Americans,” NIAF’s post read. “Then, partway through her speech, she made a surprise announcement and welcomed the President of the United States to the podium.”
“My name is Joe Biden. I’m Jill Biden’s husband. You know, I may be Irish, but I’m not stupid,” the president said. “I married Dominic Giacoppa’s granddaughter. And I want to tell you something … I grew up in a neighborhood — I — when everything — coal died in Scranton — when my dad moved us down to Delaware, where he had lived as a kid — a town called Claymont, Delaware. And if your name didn’t end in “O,” you had a problem, especially if you went to St. Len- — if you went to Holy Rosary Catholic school, like I did.”
The President and first lady’s appearance at the gala came after hosting the first-ever Italian American Heritage Month Delegation at the White House on Columbus Day, Oct. 12. They met with Basil M. Russo, president of the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Saturday night’s event was apolitical and one in the spirit of bipartisanship. Democrats and Republicans put aside their political differences for a few hours to honor the contributions of Italian Americans. Moreover, regardless of anyone’s feelings about President Joe Biden or his politics, he solved arguably the most essential cultural crisis of all time — at least for Italian Americans. Biden answered the age-old question of what it is called that goes on pasta dishes: sauce or gravy?
“I lived next to Sonny Daramo,” Biden said. “His mom used to say, Joey, it is not sauce, it’s gravy, Joey. Gravy. Gravy.”