President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were late to their introduction at a Christmas tree lighting Thursday night.
During the ceremony, the Bidens were introduced by LL Cool J, but the crowd waited another two minutes before they came out.
A video shows the rapper introducing the Bidens as the crowd stands up and applauds. Music begins to play and a few people walk out, but the president and first lady are not seen.
After a few minutes go by, LL Cool J announces that they “are going to do it again”. He asks everyone to sit down so they can re-do the applause.
The Bidens finally appeared on stage and welcomed everyone to the ceremony on the Ellipse.
During part of the president’s speech, he said “And as we look out across the country with the promise of a new year ahead, we know this: We are a great nation because [of] you — the American people”.
“You are a good people. And because of you, we will never be more optimistic about the future. You’ve made me so optimistic I can’t — I tell you what … we have so much ahead of us,” he continued.
Biden, who has recently been coughing and talking with a hoarse voice, said Friday that he is okay and just picked up a cold from his grandson.
“What I have is a 1-and-a-half year-old grandson, who had a cold, who loves to kiss his pop,” he explained.
