President Biden jokes about Tulane's tuition during New Orleans visit
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Biden announced about $150 million in federal awards during his visit to Tulane. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden may have been in New Orleans on Tuesday for a serious topic — cancer — but it didn't get in the way of them cracking jokes about the stifling heat and Tulane's private tuition.
Why it matters: They announced about $150 million in federal awards during the visit as part of the cancer "moonshot" initiative that aims to cut the cancer death rate in half by 2047.
The big picture: The Bidens' daughter Ashley graduated from Tulane in 2004 with a bachelor's in anthropology.
- "It's an honor to be back at Tulane without having to pay tuition by the way," the president joked to dignitaries and researchers. "Every time a kid or grandchild graduates, it's a pay raise."
- Jill Biden said she remembered moving Ashley in, just like other freshmen were doing Tuesday, and the "heat sort of just hits you in the face."
Fun fact: The presidential couple visited Drago's in Metairie for dinner before flying out of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
- Biden ordered a cheeseburger, according to Tyler Bridges of NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune.
- The Bidens dined with Cedric Richmond and Mitch Landrieu and shared charbroiled oysters, fried alligator bites and Fleur de Lis Shrimp, Bridges reports.
Zoom out: Tulane is getting $22.9 million to invent new imaging systems that will allow surgeons to see in real time if they removed all cancer cells while their patients are still under anesthesia.
- President Biden toured the school's cancer research facilities and deemed the developments "incredible."
- It's at least the third time the Bidens have been in New Orleans in an official capacity for a cancer event.
- Go deeper to learn about Tulane's invention.
Big names: Louisiana's Democratic heavy hitters attended the event, and the president recognized many by name.
- Former Gov. John Bel Edwards, Former Mayor Mitch Landrieu, former Sen. Mary Landrieu, former U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, former U.S. Sen. John Breaux, Mayor LaToya Cantrell, City Council president Helena Moreno and City Council VP JP Morrell were all there.
- U.S. Rep. Troy Carter met him at the airport.
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Behind the scenes: Tulane was already busy without the extra visitors.
- Freshmen were moving in. Band members were in camp. And NASA unveiled a mural at Tulane's downtown campus.
- Roads were closed. Security was tight. And the temps were sweltering. Several students, who didn't realize the president was visiting, complained to officers when they weren't allowed around barricades to get to their dorms.
Yes, but: The logistical issues were worth it, officials say.
- "The president's always welcome here," Tulane spokesman Mike Strecker told Axios New Orleans with a smile.
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Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.