Biden at the White House Diwali: 'Pramila, Wai-, Pra-, Pramila Jayapal' and 'a Great [Vice] President' (October 24, 2022)

President Joe Biden was thanking members of Congress at the White House Diwali celebration when he got stuck on a name. “And two other members who couldn’t be here but send their greetings — you know, the — and they — they are both very good friends and wanted to be here. Pramila — wai- — Pra- — Pramila Jayapal and — and Ami Bera wanted to be here,” Biden said, according to the official White House transcript [1].

“But they’re also two great leaders who couldn’t be here though tonight,” he added [1].

A few minutes earlier, he wished Vice President Kamala Harris a happy birthday, and the transcript needed a fix. “She turned 30. (Laughter.)” Biden said. “And happy birthday to a great [Vice] President.” The bracketed word is the White House’s correction [1].

The video above shows Biden’s remarks at the East Room celebration on Oct. 24, 2022. Quotes are from the official White House transcript [1].

”We Both Married Way Up”

Biden greeted Indian American lawmakers in the crowd. “Ro and Raja, where are you? (Applause.) There you are. There you are. Are these your daughter — your children?” he asked. “The daughter is,” an audience member answered [1].

“Well, God love you. They had to be yours. (Laughter.) Is that — is that daddy? Is that daddy right there, and mommy? Yeah. Whoa! (Laughter.) I tell you what — we have a lot in common, old buddy. We both married way up,” Biden said, to laughter [1].

”A Really Nice House”

He recalled hosting Diwali at his old residence. “You know, late November 2016, one of the last events I hosted at a really nice house — the Vice President’s Naval Observatory — (laughter) — which was the official Vice President’s residence and is — it was the first Diwa- — Diwali reception ever to be held there,” Biden said [1].

“I’m an Irish Catholic and opening our home for holidays observed by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs,” he said [1].

The transcript also had to insert a word for him: “I know well [we’re] celebrating Diwali, but a few year- — days ago, it was also Kamala’s birthday.” [1]

He talked about his mother, too. “She often — she often talks about her mom, like we all talk about our mom, like I talk about my mom, and — and like I’m getting a lot to talk about my mom these days. (Laughs.)” Biden said of Harris [1].

”Before I’m Out of This Place”

Biden stopped to check on the children on stage. “Are you get — are you getting tired? (Addresses children on stage.) (Laughter.) You — you want to sit?” he asked. “Do you want me — want me to get a seat for you? No? You okay? Okay.” [1]

He also made a promise on guns. “And, by the way, we are going to ban assault weapons before I’m out of this place. (Applause.) We did it before. We’re going to do it again,” Biden said [1].

He explained his campaign theme. “I said I always wanted to restore the soul of the nation. What’s a soul? Well, the soul to me is the breath, the life, and the essence of who we are,” Biden said [1].

Jill Biden and Kamala Harris

The first lady spoke first. “Thank you, and welcome to Diwali at the White House,” Jill Biden said. “Why celebrate light on the darkest night when the moon is hardest to find? Because that’s when we need it most.” [1]

She introduced Harris as “a friend who has become a light to both Joe and to me.” [1]

Harris remembered her childhood trips. “Like many of you, we would go to India about every other year, avoiding monsoon season — (laughter) — and we would go for Diwali,” she said [1].

“As many of you know, my mother arrived in the United States at the age of 19 when she came to the United States to study,” Harris said. “And it is because of her dedication, her determination, and her courage that I stand before you as Vice President of the United States.” [1]

“Tonight, of course, we join with more than 1 billion people around the world to light the diya and to celebrate the fight for good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness,” Harris said [1].

By the Numbers

30: the age Biden joked Harris had turned [1].
2016: the year of the first Diwali reception at the Naval Observatory, per Biden [1].
2: members of Congress Biden said could not attend, Pramila Jayapal and Ami Bera [1].
1 billion+: people Harris said celebrate Diwali worldwide [1].
19: the age Harris said her mother arrived in the United States [1].

What Happened Next

Harris lost. Two years later, the “great [Vice] President” was the Democratic nominee. She lost to Donald Trump, 312 electoral votes to 226, according to the National Archives [2].

Trump celebrated Diwali, too. On Oct. 21, 2025, President Trump hosted a White House Diwali celebration. “Thank you very much, and welcome to the White House as we celebrate Diwali—Di-va-li—because they said there has to be a very heavy emphasis on the ‘v’—Di-va-li—the beautiful Hindu festival of lights,” Trump said [3].

He recognized Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and FBI Director Kash Patel. “FBI Director Kash Patel is really hitting his stride,” Trump said [3].

In his Diwali message, Trump wrote: “As millions of citizens light diyas and lanterns, we rejoice in the eternal truth that good will always triumph over evil.” [4]

For the White House briefing that same day, see HYGO News’ page on Oct. 24, 2022.