President Joe Biden’s bumbling public appearances have gotten worse — and he just accidentally revealed his Secret Service code name “Celtic” while hosting the 2024 NBA champion Boston Celtics at the White House Thursday.
Biden let the codename slip after appearing confused and uncertain about the team’s name during the South Lawn ceremony.
The president stumbled in his opening remarks, calling the team the “The 2024 NBA Champions, the Bo…” before pausing and turning and asking the assembled players, “You’re the Celtics, right?”
The confusion drew light chuckles from the crowd. Biden joked about his confusion, saying, “They just showed up. I don’t know where the hell they came from.”
Later in his address, Biden gave up his long-held Secret Service security code name.
“All of you may not know this, but my Secret Service name is ‘Celtic.’ For real, because I’m Irish,” he said. “Everybody behind me is Irish in their heart. I feel a special pride in this trophy from this old Irish Celtic. To all you Celtics, congratulations.”
While it’s not a huge secret on Capitol Hill –the code name has been associated with Biden throughout his presidency and dates back to his time as vice president under former President Barack Obama, according to reports — it’s still a part of a disturbing pattern of confusion and misstatements from the man still in control of the U.S. nuclear arsenal for two more months.
During the ceremony, Biden received a custom Celtics jersey and basketball, which he later dribbled and passed to attendees in the crowd.
Biden emphasized the historical significance of NBA championship celebrations at the White House, noting that John F. Kennedy was the first president to host an NBA champion when the Celtics visited in 1963.
“Part of that wonderful tradition, celebrating the power of sports to bring people together,” Biden said. “It’s a tradition that I’ve had the honor to continue. No matter the sport. What these champions all have in common are core values… Hard work, teamwork, respect, and the knowledge that no one of us is ever as good as all of us can be when we’re together.”
The ceremony, attended by the full 2023-24 Celtics roster, coaching staff, and ownership group, marks the final NBA championship celebrations at Biden’s White House before President-elect Donald Trump takes back control of the office in January.
The previous NBA champions, the 2023 Denver Nuggets, did not visit the White House due to reported “scheduling issues.”
Joe Biden met with the Boston Celtics today.
Check out this highlight!
“2024 Bawls — you’re Celtics right”pic.twitter.com/CirEC7NVfC
— Bostonians Against Mayor Wu (@AntiWuCoalition) November 21, 2024