The Indiana University football squad turned the White House’s East Wing into a makeshift stage, re-creating the 2019 LSU ‘Get The Gat’ video that once dominated social media feeds. The performance, captured during the team’s national championship celebration, featured players synchronizing their moves to a track that first emerged from a 1992 New Orleans bounce beat.
Roots of a viral anthem
The song traces back to Lil Gat, a New Orleans bounce artist whose 1992 recording laid the groundwork for the meme that later exploded when LSU football embraced it during its own championship run. Subtweet Shawn, a social‑media personality and artist, helped popularize the track within the LSU locker room, turning it into a rallying cry that resonated across campuses and now echoes in the White House.
Gemi Bordelon, spouse of former LSU star Ben Bordelon, joined the White House rendition, adding star power that amplified the video’s reach. The performance was not limited to football; the LSU baseball team later mirrored the routine after securing its own national title, underscoring the challenge’s cross‑sport appeal.
Indiana’s quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner and the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, opted out of the White House event. The star athlete chose instead to focus on his upcoming journey with the Las Vegas Raiders, a decision that highlighted the shifting priorities of college stars as they transition to professional football.
A cultural bridge
The reenactment serves more than a nostalgic nod; it illustrates how viral culture can bridge collegiate athletics, regional music heritage, and national political ceremonies. By invoking a track born in New Orleans and popularized by LSU, the Hoosiers linked their own triumph to a broader American narrative that blends sport, music, and digital culture.