You remember the video. It was January 2020, right before the world flipped upside down, and the LSU Tigers were at the White House celebrating a national championship. Suddenly, a TikTok surfaces. It’s not just the players like Joe Burrow or Justin Jefferson doing the "Get the Gat" dance—it’s a woman in a beige dress leading the charge with some seriously smooth moves.
Social media basically exploded. Who was she? Was she a White House staffer? A secret service agent with a sense of rhythm? The internet’s collective detective work eventually landed on a name: Gemi Bordelon.
The Mystery Woman Behind the Move
Gemi Bordelon wasn't an employee of the Trump administration, nor was she a random tourist who wandered into the wrong room. She's actually part of the deep-rooted LSU family. Specifically, she is the wife of Ben Bordelon, a former LSU offensive captain and NFL player who spent some time with the San Diego Chargers in the late 90s.
Honestly, the way she was identified was peak Gen Z. Her daughter, Brooke, saw the video going viral on Twitter and simply tweeted, "It would be my mother." That was it. Mystery solved.
But why was she there? People were genuinely confused about why a former player's wife was front and center in a White House TikTok. Turns out, the Bordelons have massive ties to the Louisiana congressional delegation. They live in Lafourche Parish—right near Coach Ed Orgeron’s neck of the woods. In Louisiana, football and politics are basically the same sport, so seeing a prominent booster family like the Bordelons in D.C. makes a lot of sense if you know the culture.
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What Exactly is "Get the Gat"?
If you weren't on TikTok in early 2020, you might have missed the context. The "Get the Gat" challenge was everywhere. It used a 1992 New Orleans bounce track by Lil Elt. The LSU team had adopted it as their unofficial anthem during their undefeated 2019 season.
They did it in the locker room. They did it on the field. So, naturally, they did it in the White House.
The video featuring Gemi was filmed in a holding area near the Oval Office. It wasn't some formal state event—it was a group of hyped-up athletes and their guests having a moment. Gemi didn't just stand there; she actually knew the choreography. That’s probably why the video hit millions of views so fast. It was the juxtaposition of a refined-looking woman in a formal D.C. setting hitting a bounce dance perfectly with world-class athletes.
Why the Gemi Bordelon White House Visit Sparked a Debate
Like anything that goes viral, it wasn't all just "geaux tigers" and high-fives. Some people thought it was disrespectful to dance like that in the White House. Others thought it was a fun, humanizing moment for a team that had just achieved something historic.
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Basically, the internet split into two camps:
- The "Lighten Up" Crowd: These folks loved the energy. They saw it as a celebration of Louisiana culture (bounce music) brought to the national stage.
- The "Dignity" Crowd: These people felt the White House should be a place of stoic tradition and that a TikTok dance was "too much."
What most people missed was how much the players actually liked her. She wasn't an intruder; she was someone they knew and respected. Ben Bordelon is a big deal in Louisiana—he's the CEO of Bollinger Shipyards, a massive company that builds ships for the Coast Guard and Navy. The Bordelons aren't just fans; they are part of the infrastructure of the program.
Where is Gemi Bordelon Now?
Since that 2020 whirlwind, Gemi has largely stayed out of the national spotlight. She didn't try to become a "TikTok influencer" or launch a brand off her fifteen minutes of fame. She went back to her life in Louisiana, raising her kids and supporting the Tigers.
Her sons, Bo and Brett Bordelon, eventually followed in their father's footsteps to play for LSU. It's a legacy thing. The family remains deeply embedded in the Baton Rouge social and athletic scene. Interestingly, the "Get the Gat" video still resurfaces every time a team visits the White House. When the LSU Baseball team went to D.C. in 2023 (and again in 2025), people were immediately looking for the next viral dance moment.
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Actionable Insights from the Gemi Bordelon Saga
Whether you're a fan of the video or not, there's a lot to learn from how this moment played out in the digital age:
- Context is King: Most of the backlash came from people who didn't understand Gemi's relationship with the team. If you're posting something high-stakes, provide the "who" and "why" early to avoid the "who is this person?" chaos.
- Embrace the Culture: The LSU players were celebrated because they brought their local New Orleans culture with them. Authentic joy usually beats polished PR every time.
- The Internet Never Forgets: Even six years later, Gemi is still the first person people think of when "LSU White House" is mentioned. If you're in a public space, assume the cameras are rolling.
- Support Systems Matter: The fact that her daughter was the one to "out" her shows a close-knit family dynamic. In a world of trolls, having your family lead the narrative is the best defense.
If you ever find yourself in the White House with a group of national champions, maybe have your moves ready. You never know who’s holding the phone.
To stay updated on LSU's current traditions or to see how the "Get the Gat" legacy continues with the latest roster, check the official LSU Athletics page or follow the team's social media accounts for behind-the-scenes content.