Jill Biden promotes COVID vaccines and Joining Forces in Hawaii and attracts group of anti-vax Trump supporters
First lady Jill Biden stopped by a vaccination clinic Sunday in Hawaii and attended a barbecue for military families as part of the renewed Joining Forces initiative she originally started with former first lady Michelle Obama.
At the vaccine clinic at Waipahu High School in Waipahu, Hawaii, Biden attracted about 20 Trump supporters, a handful who also held anti-vax signs that included 'Protect Not Inject' and 'No Shots for Tots.'
A man shouted loudly as the motorcade rolled in, 'Go home!'
Biden was brought in a different door to the high school gynasium that was housing the pop-up clinic.
She watched two teenagers - 12-year-old Josiah Bartolome and 15-year-old Christlyn Bartolome, get their second Pfizer shots.
She coached their mother, Maria, through the process.
'If you don't look, it'll be OK. I know that as a mother,' Biden said. 'Did you see how quick that was?' Biden said after the shot was administered. She and other people in the room clapped.
First lady Jill Biden speaks at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Waipahu High School, as supporters of former President Donald Trump protested outside
Supporters of former President Donald Trump gathered outside the pop-up vaccination clinic first lady Jill Biden attended on Sunday. A number of them held anti-vax signs
First lady Jill Biden gave remarks in the school's library after watching two teens get the Pfizer vaccine at a clinic in Hawaii on Sunday
Dr. Jill Biden sported a floral mask and ankle-length floral dress at Sunday's vaccination clinic in Hawaii
First lady Jill Biden listens as Loise Medina speaks at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at a high school in Waipahu, Hawaii
'Ahhh,' Biden cooed Maria and Josiah held Christlyn's hand as she got her shot.
Afterward, Biden spoke to a group assembled in the school library.
'So let me ask, where are the teachers in here?' Biden asked.
A few hands in the audience rose up.
'You have my heart and the heart of my president,' she said.
'I know you're just as excited as I am for those clean whiteboards and the freshly waxed floors and best of all the bright faces of our students I person, right?' Biden said. 'But before we start this year I just want to say thank you for all you did last year.'
She talked about how she did the best she could to teach her community college classes virtually.
'But some things – you know this – they just cannot be replaced,' she continued. 'And that's especially true for students who missed out on sports and proms and school plays.'
She said during the pandemic 'our world felt, I don't know, a little darker, a little colder.'
'And now, doesn't the time we spend with those we care about just fill us with even more joy?'
She then turned to vaccines.
First lady Jill Biden receives a lei of flowers from Hawaii Gov. David Ige as she arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Saturday after spending several days in Tokyo, Japan for the Olympics
First lady Jill Biden waves to reporters after receiving leis upon her arrival in Honolulu, Hawaii on Saturday
'Because Hawaii, your lives and your health matter to the president and to me,' she said.
'And this last push it seems the hardest of all,' Biden admitted.
She said we're now making the case 'person to person.'
'I'm here to ask everyone listening right now, to choose to get vaccinated.'
She talked about how COVID has become 'more contagious than ever.'
'If you've only had one shot you need to get another,' she said.
'Help us move past this virus once and for all,' she said.
Biden then motorcaded to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a barbecue with military families, including members of the Space Force.
The first lady pointed out that this would be her first event where military families from all six branches would be present.
She went through Navy, Army, Coast Guards and Marines.
'How about our Guardians?' she said, as several attendees raised their hands.
She gave a special shout-out to the spouses and had a daughter of a military family introduce her.
'Military families may not wear a uniform but you serve as well,' she said.
'We're going to make sure you have everything you need to survive and thrive,' she added.
At her Saturday arrival in Hawaii, greeters including Admiral John C. Aquilino, the commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, Rep. Ed Case, Gov. David Ige and the family of the late Sen. Daniel Inouye, placed leis around the first lady's neck.
'I'm really looking forward to being here in your beautiful state,' she said as she walked to her waiting SUV, with the rings of flowers complimenting her lilac dress and floral Dior heels.
At the barbecue, Biden was also treated to a hula performance - and sported a purple lei.
The Hawaii stop comes after Biden spent two and a half days in Japan for the Tokyo Olympics - attending sporting events and playing the role of diplomat.
She talked about the Olympics at both of her Sunday stops.
At the barbecue, she said it was impossible not to feel enormous pride when you see 'Simone Biles flying through the air and Sue Bird commanding the court.'
'And so yesterday I got to see four events, I got to see women's softball, which we won, I got to see this great sport that I've never seen – 3x3 basketball … and we won. And then I got to go to the soccer game against the Netherlands and we won,' she said.
She misspoke, the match was against New Zealand.
Biden launched her Joining Forces initiative in 2011 with then-first lady Michelle Obama.
The program calls on all Americans to 'rally around service members, veterans, and their families and support them through wellness, education, and employment opportunities', according to the White House.
'Joining Forces works hand in hand with the public and private sector to ensure that service members, veterans, and their families have the tools they need to succeed throughout their lives,' the White House website states of the initiative.
Later Saturday, first lady Jill Biden returned to Olympics' venues, including to watch USA swimming
First lady Jill Biden watched Team USA women's soccer beat New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympics Saturday night
First lady Jill Biden (left) and French Education, Youth and Sports Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer (right) applaud prior to attend the women's first round 3x3 basketball match between US and France at the Aomi Urban Sports Park in Tokyo
French President Emmanual Macron (left) and first lady Jill Biden (right) shake hands Saturday afternoon at the Aomi Urban Sports Park, Tokyo
French President Emmanual Macron (left) and first lady Jill Biden (right) talk at the Basketball 3x3 match between USA and France
First lady Jill Biden cheers on Team USA prior to the Women's Pool Round match on day one of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Aomi Urban Sports Park
First lady Jill Biden is captured in the audience watching swimming events Saturday afternoon in Tokyo
The U.S. embassy in Tokyo's new Charge d'Affaires ad interim Raymond Greene (left) sits with first lady Jill Biden to watch swimming Saturday at the Olympic Games
The first lady attended the opening ceremony Friday night and then on Saturday watched Team USA versus France's women's 3x3 basketball game, which the U.S. won 17 to 10.
She then watched USA swimming compete.
And attended the Team USA versus New Zealand women's soccer match - which the women won 6-1.
Earlier Saturday, Biden hosted a party for embassy staff at the Tokyo ambassador's residence as a thank you, of sorts, for helping set up her trip, before heading back to the Games to watch swimming, women's basketball and soccer.
'I know how much goes into visits like these, especially with COVID,' she told about 50 foreign service workers gathered to watch the Team USA versus Mexico women's softball game on a big-screen TV. 'I mean, I feel so terrible that we can't offer you food - and a glass of wine - but they said, no, no one will be taking off their masks.'
The event followed strict COVID protocols, with attendees wearing masks - some decorated with American flags - and seats of two spread about six feet apart.
First lady Jill Biden hosted an Olympics watch party Saturday at the U.S. ambassador's residence in Tokyo as a thank you to embassy staff for helping set up her trip to attend the Games
First lady Jill Biden settles in to watch Team USA softball alongside the embassy's new Charge d'Affaires ad interim Raymond Greene. The event followed strict COVID protocols because of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Tokyo
The first lady and attendees at Saturday's Olympics watch party stand as the national anthem is played at the start of the Team USA vs. Mexico softaball game
Earlier Saturday first lady Jill Biden wore a more formal outfit at the Chief of Mission Residence in Tokyo for a dedication of a room in honor of the late Irene Hirano Inouye and Sen. Daniel Inouye
The coronavirus had spread throughout Tokyo in advance of the Olympic Games, with some residents protesting the decision not to postpone them.
Biden and the Tokyo embassy's new Charge d'Affaires ad interim Raymond Greene were the only two Americans who attended Friday night's opening ceremony as part of President Joe Biden's delegation.
Friday night in Washington, the president joked that Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga 'made it real clear' that he wanted first lady Jill Biden - and not the US president - in Tokyo for the opener.
'Jill wanted to be here tonight, but if you turn on the Olympics and watch Team USA you'll see Jill Biden standing there,' Biden said at a campaign rally for Virginia gubernatorial hopeful Terry McAuliffe. 'The Japanese prime minister, who I invited as the first person to come to the White House as a head of state, he made it real clear, he didn't want me, he wanted her to go.'
The Biden administration lit up the White House Friday night as well, as the opening ceremony played on primetime TV in the United States.
The White House was lit up Friday night to mark the Tokyo summer Olympics opening ceremony, which first lady Jill Biden attended in person
The first lady, who had appeared at the ambassador's residence earlier Saturday wearing a white dress and powder blue blazer - to dedicate a room in the home to the late Irene Hirano Inouye and Sen. Daniel Inouye - did a costume change for the watch party.
She appeared in front of the crowd wearing the official Team USA Ralph Lauren blazer, the American flag top and the jeans that say 'USA' down one leg.
She also wore white sneakers with blue and red stripes to complete the patriotic get-up.
'I'm really excited for this game aren't you? As you can see I'm all decked out,' she said.
'As I walk down the hallway, I feel like a new kid – a kid on the first day of school,' she continued. 'You know how you have all your new clothes, but you didn't wash them, so these jeans are so stiff.'
'So, note to self,' she added to laughs from the crowd.
She then got serious - and spoke about how what they do as American diplomats matters.
'This job can be challenging in the best of times,' she said. 'In the past few years we can see how fragile diplomacy can be.'
She thanked them for keeping the US-Japan alliance strong.
'And you kept your commitments even as the world struggles through a global pandemic. And it hasn't been easy,' she said. 'And that's true for the family members, who have picked up their lives – so many of you have picked up your lives and moved across the world alongside of you.'
'And guess what – I understand that,' she added, an acknowledgment of her own move to the White House.
She boasted that, 'America is leading the world once again because you all, you all are forging the way.'
'We're going to show the world what the United States can achieve when we are guided by heart and hope and diplomacy,' she said. 'Or as my husband has said, we lead by the power of our example, not the example of our power.'
Biden then took a seat in the crowd to watch a portion of the game.
On Friday night Jill Biden arrived Olympics Stadium dressed in a white and black polka-dotted bespoke Brandon Maxwell dress paired with a strings of pearls.
She also sported an American flag mask, as COVID-19 protocols left the massive stadium empty except for dignitaries and press.
She also wore Paul Andrew pumps, Mizuki earrings and held a Larroude clutch as she arrived.
The first lady was seated next to Macron, who she attended a reception with earlier hosted by Japanese Emperor Naruhito.
She was observed bowing her head during a moment of silence near the top of the program for the victims of the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier, thanks to COVID-19, the first lady had to meet Team USA athletes virtually.
'I want to thank each person who helped you be here today. Now those years of work, the drive and faith that have kept you going, have led you here. Congratulations,' Biden said, sporting a white, blue and red USA jacket over a white Michael Kors dress and looking into a camera. 'Becoming an Olympian is a rare accomplishment in a normal time. But you did it during a global pandemic.'
First lady Jill Biden stands up and waves as Team USA is announced Friday night at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games
First lady Jill Biden (left) speaks with French President Emmanuel Macron (right) at the opening ceremony Friday night for the Tokyo summer Olympic Games
First lady Jill Biden stood up and cheered as Team USA was announced arriving at Olympic Stadium during Friday night's opening ceremony for the Tokyo Olympic Games
First lady Jill Biden is captured arriving at Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan Friday night for the opening ceremony
First lady Jill Biden (left) speaks with French President Emmanuel Macron (right) at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo summer Olympic Games. Earlier Friday, Biden and Macron attended a reception at the Imperial Palace with the Emperor of Japan
First lady Jill Biden gets off an elevator as she arrives for the opening ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo
Fireworks explode over the main Olympic stadium in Tokyo as the opening ceremony gets underway, a year after the event was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
First lady Jill Biden applauds during Friday night's opening ceremony of the Tokyo summer Olympics at Olympic Stadium
First lady Jill Biden is seen observing a moment of silence for victims of the coronavirus pandemic during Friday night's opening ceremony in Tokyo
First lady Jill Biden (center top) watches the Olympics' opening ceremony alongside French President Emmanuel Macron (bottom)
A view outside the Olympic Stadium Friday night in Tokyo, Japan. Inside only hundreds and not tens of thousands were gathered due to rising COVID-19 numbers globally
Team USA enters Olympic Stadium Friday night during the opening ceremony in Tokyo. Flagbearers Sue Bird and Eddy Alvares spoke virtually earlier Friday with first lady Jill Biden
Behind her shoulder was a large TV showing the faces of Team USA's athletes.
'For most of you, the journey to Tokyo began long, long ago. It likely started at a young age. The first time you picked up a ball or jumped in the water. The first ride that made you feel really free. Or when the backflip you thought was impossible suddenly wasn't,' Biden said.
'You've given up so much to be here. You've sacrificed time with friends and pushed yourself harder than you thought you could,' she continued.
'Your journey was supported by dedicated parents and siblings, grandparents and cousins, friends, classmates and, of course, the coaches that guided you along the way to Tokyo,' Biden added.
The first athlete she spoke to was Eddy Alvarez, a baseball player and, in the winter Olympics, a short track speed skater.
First lady Jill Biden did a Zoom call with Team USA athletes Friday at the U.S. ambassador's residence in advance of the Tokyo summer Olympics' opening ceremony
First lady Jill Biden had one-on-one conversations over Zoom with Team USA athletes (from left) Eddy Alvarez, Sue Bird and Allison Schmitt
He's a flagbearer this year.
'Thank you so much, I love seeing you – you must be so excited!' she said giggling.
She then spoke to Sue Bird, a basketball player and flagbearer.
'You are one amazing woman,' Biden said.
She then spoke to Allison Schmitt, a four-time Olympic swimmer and mental health advocate. 'I think it's an even bigger honor that you're not just FLOTUS, but you're a Dr. Jill Biden,' Schmitt said.
'I'm so looking forward to watching you compete and as a teacher I think what you're doing is so important in that area of mental health because I know that a lot of students as they return back to school this fall are going to need a little help,' Biden said.
Schmitt said she's currently working on her master's.
'Go for the doctorate,' Biden encouraged.
Biden also told the athletes they were 'more than our cities or states or backgrounds.'
'We are more than our jobs or are political parties,' she said.
'We are Team USA,' she said. 'We'll be watching!' she encouraged the athletes.
Afterward she told reporters, 'it was emotional' after seeing the Olympians. 'It meant a lot to me. And to Joe. It should be exciting to watch the events,' she said.
'Thank you for your help,' she told her staff and embassy staff who put the Zoom call together.
'Am I allowed to shake hands?' she asked the staff, giving out elbow bumps instead. 'Just pretend these are hugs,' she said.
Biden later released an op-ed through NBC News that delivered a similar message.
Earlier Friday, the first lady returned to the Akasaka Palace to spend time with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's wife Mariko.
Mariko Suga had prepared an incense workshop for Dr. Biden, where the first lady would smell difference fragrances and put together a small scented satchel.
With COVID on the rise in Tokyo, both women wore masks - but appeared sans shoes, as is culturally appropriate. They sat down at two desks with plexiglass shield attached to protect the lecturer, who spoke in Japanese and wore a light yellow kimono.
First lady Jill Biden arrives at an incense workshop Friday morning in Tokyo with the Japanese Prime Minister's wife Mariko Suga
Mariko Suga (left) and Dr. Jill Biden and her interpreter (right) take part in an incense workshop Friday morning at Akasaka Palace
Biden was guided through the fragrances - sandalwood, then cinnamon - briefly taking off her mask to take a big whiff.
'Oh that's strong, that wakes you up, right?' Biden said when smelling Palo Santo, a South American scent named for 'tree of God,' after the resin-rich heartwood used in incense in churches, which was described as slightly sweet.
Biden wore a grey trench-length blazer adorned with a pearl pin, that was a gift from Mrs. Suga when her husband visited the White House solo in April.
Doing more diplomatic work Friday afternoon, Biden arrived at the Imperial Palace for a meet-and-greet with Japan's Emperor Naruhito.
The emperor had invited 11 delegation heads to the expansive palace, including Macron and Albert II, the Prince of Monaco.
Biden arrived last and in the largest motorcade.
Reporters were only able to capture her entering the event.
She had changed into a white dress with black polka dots - the same dress she sported later at the opening ceremony.
First lady Jill Biden arrives at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo Friday afternoon for a meet-and-greet with Japan's Emperor Naruhito
First lady Jill Biden is gestured toward the doors of the Imperial Palace as she arrives for a reception with delegation leaders
First lady Jill Biden waves to reporters as she arrives Friday afternoon at the Imperial Palace for a reception hosted by Japan's Emperor Naruhito
First lady Jill Biden (left) meets Japan's Emperor Naruhito (right) at the Imperial Palace ahead of the official opening of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo on Friday
Japan's Emperor Naruhito delivers a speech to the guests including French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Jill Biden at the Imperial Palace
First lady Jill Biden meets with Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at the Imperial Palace
The first lady arrived in Japan Thursday afternooon ahead of Friday's opening ceremony for the 2021 summer Olympic Games, which have already been plagued by a spike in COVID cases.
She wore see-through nylon slippers for dinner at Akasaka Palace with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and his wife, Mariko Suga.
The trio posed for a photo-op with reporters, with Biden wearing a $2,832 silk floral Tom Ford dress with a modest mid-length hem, a feminine pussy-bow collar, and a waist-cinching belt for the occasion.
Like the Prime Minister and his wife, Biden took off her shoes inside, as is custom, and was seen wearing only a pair of skin-tone nylon no-show socks. She also covered up with a simple black face mask.
The Japanese people and their guests have a tradition of taking off shoes for home meals to show respect and promote cleanliness. They also sit on tatami mats instead of chairs while eating.
The trip to Tokyo marks the first lady's first solo trip abroad since her husband came into office in January.
Biden arrived amid continued concerns about holding the Games over the surge in COVID, with Tokyo virus cases hitting a six-month high on Wednesday.
The first lady embraced COVID precautions upon meeting Prime Minister Suga, but also as she arrived at Yokota Air Force Base earlier today.
Disembarking the plane, she waved at reporters in a custom red Narciso Rodriguez dress that she had previously worn on a visit to Central Florida in June, as well as a white floral mask that she had first worn on inauguration night.
She was tested - along with staff, press and Secret Service - for COVID-19 on board Executive One Foxtrot between Anchorage, her first stop, and Japan.
First lady Jill Biden (left), sporting slippers, posed for photographs alongside Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (center), who's in socks, and his wife Mariko Suga (right) who's barefoot, as is custom. Biden is dining Thursday night with the Sugas at Akasaka Palace ahead of the Olympic Games
First lady Jill Biden arrived in Tokyo, Japan Thursday afternoon to attend the opening ceremony of the summer Olympics
With COVID cases rising, the first lady appeared wearing a mask despite being vaccinated against the virus
First lady Jill Biden greets people at Yokota Air Force Base in Tokyo, Japan
First lady Jill Biden waves to reporters as she arrives in Tokyo, Japan ahead of Friday's opening ceremony
First lady Jill Biden is captured getting off of Executive One Foxtrot Thursday afternoon
First lady Jill Biden speaks at the Alaska Native Health Center on Wednesday in Anchorage, Alaska, a stopover she made en route to Tokyo, Japan for the Olympic Games
At her stop in Anchorage, Alaska on July 21, Biden appeared at the Alaska Native Health Tribal Health Consortium and addressed in yet another outfit - this time a below-the-knee black and white number, with stripes around teh skirt and a dainty bow at her waist.
She coordinated the look with simple black pumps, and alternated between both a black and a white jacket. For jewelry, she picked pearl earrings and a matching pearl brooch, which she swapped for other pieces from her jewelry box when she later arrived in Japan.
Biden said she was excited to get to Japan, telling reporters as she departed the Alaska stop: 'Yes aren't you? I'll see you there.'
Biden traveled with President Joe Biden last month to the first portion of his first global outing since being sworn-in in January.
The first lady accompanied the president to the G7 in Cornwall, England, where she spent time with Carrie Johnson, the wife of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and their son Wilfred in Carbis Bay.
Highlights also included a school tour with Kate Middleton and a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle with her husband.
First lady Jill Biden greets people on the tarmac of Joint Base
She departed for Japan Wednesday morning and made a stopover in Anchorage, Alaska to talk about the coronavirus vaccine
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