The planned event for Tuesday is in flux because of first lady Jill Biden’s Covid diagnosis
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is set to attend her first public event at the Biden White House next week, but the event’s details are uncertain due to first lady Jill Biden’s recent Covid diagnosis. The planned appearance is for a ceremony on Tuesday, where Clinton is scheduled to join Jill Biden in honoring winners of the prestigious Praemium Imperiale arts award, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of the Arts.”
However, with Jill Biden testing positive for Covid, the possibility of the two first ladies attending together is now in question. According to sources familiar with the planning, if the first lady is unable to attend, the event will still proceed with Clinton in attendance. At present, Jill Biden is reported to be experiencing mild symptoms, and it is unclear whether she will recover in time for the event.
If the ceremony takes place on Tuesday, it would mark Clinton’s first public appearance at the White House during the Biden administration. While she has previously visited the White House privately during President Joe Biden’s first year in office, including a meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris, this event would be her first public role in such a high-profile event at the Biden White House.
Clinton’s past interactions with the Bidens have included phone conversations with President Biden and in-person meetings with Vice President Harris, though the details of any in-person meetings between Clinton and President Biden remain unclear. Additionally, Clinton was present at a dinner hosted by the Bidens in honor of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Former President Bill Clinton also had lunch with President Biden at the White House last year.
President Biden is set to be traveling abroad until late Monday, which could limit any opportunity for him to meet with Clinton during her visit, though it’s possible they may have time for a brief interaction before or after the ceremony.
The event is centered around the announcement of the recipient of the Praemium Imperiale’s young artists grant, a prestigious honor that acknowledges young talent in the arts. Clinton is expected to take part in the announcement of this year’s recipient during the event, which is to be held on Tuesday at the White House.