First Lady Jill Biden riled up a group of supporters Saturday at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, speaking about the grit of her Italian ancestors and telling the crowd that her husband, President Joe Biden, is just as much a fighter.
“He’s making sure that no matter where you start in life, there’s no limit to what you can achieve,” Biden said during the annual dinner of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America.
The first lady’s remarks come after a growing number of questions in recent weeks whether Biden has the stamina and cognitive skills to remain president following his lackluster performance at a June 27 debate against Donald Trump.
“He’s helped us heal from the pandemic, created millions of good jobs including good union jobs – and he made the strongest economic recovery in history,” she said.
Jill Biden, the first Italian American first lady in U.S. history, was the ISDA guest of honor for her contributions to community, said Basil Russo, national president of the group.
He lauded her efforts to secure employment and medical benefits for military families, and her foundation’s work to stop violence against women.
Biden arrived at about 4 p.m. to Pittsburgh International Airport and was greeted by Sen. John Fetterman and his wife, Gisele, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and City Council President Robert Daniel Lavelle.
She took the stage at the Rivers Casino with the greeting, “Buonasera, everyone.”
“Our ancestors kept true to the same values that echo in the motto of this organization — liberty, unity and duty,” Biden said. “You make sure everyone can build a good life in America. That work is personal for Joe, too.”
Biden spoke for about five minutes to an excited crowd of about 300 people. The ISDA didn’t permit media questions.
“It’s great to be with you all,” Biden said. “Not only because I’m proud of my Italian roots, but also because I can’t help but feel home-state pride whenever I’m in Pennsylvania.”
Biden’s appearance was over by almost an hour before what law enforcement authorities called an assassination attempt on Trump.
President Joe Biden said “everybody must condemn” the attack.
“There’s no place in America for this type of violence,” he said. “It’s sick. It’s sick.”
Tawnya Panizzi is a TribLive reporter. She joined the Trib in 1997. She can be reached at tpanizzi@triblive.com.