Barack Obama suspended controversial 60th birthday mega-party after criticism

On his 60th birthday, the former President of the United States Barack obama He decided Fire nail megafiesta celebration planned this weekend at his mansion on the exclusive island of Martha’s Vineyard. The reason? The Delta variant and the questions received from the Republican Party before the Covid-19 epidemic which affects a large part of the country.

The former president decided to carry out a more intimate celebration with your family and close friends, his spokesperson, Hannah Hankins, confirmed this Wednesday in a statement published in the newspaper The Washington Post.

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In the note, the spokesperson explained that the decision was made “due to the new expansion of the Delta variant last week.”

Obama is planning to have a big party next Saturday with family, friends, politicians and VIPs in the gardens of his mansion in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Guests included actor George Clooney, filmmaker Steven Spielberg and TV host Oprah Winfrey. In total they were invited 475 people.

At the party, rock band Pearl Jam would even perform.

The party had sparked a series of strong questions from the Republican Party and conservative television commentators.

Republican Congressman Jim Jordan quipped on Twitter: “If it was President Trump’s birthday party,” they would denounce a “dangerous super-propagation event“Of the virus and would conclude that its organizers” kill people “. Meanwhile, GOP leader Ronna McDaniel wondered, “Is there an exception for parties attended by wealthy liberal celebrities?”

Others, like Republican lawmaker Lance Gooden, have questioned whether “Democrats will demand that (Obama) ask his guests to wear a mask.”

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The explanation of the spokesperson for Obama

In the note, Hankins said the party had been scheduled for months following all public recommendations to protect against the disease. However, he said, given the progress of the Delta variant, “the president and Mrs. Obama have decided to significantly reduce the event to include only family and close friends.”

Hankins said the former president “greatly appreciates the birthday wishes of others and hopes to see people soon.”

Meanwhile, the president Joe biden congratulated Obama for his birthday with a message on his Twitter account in which he declared himself “proud” to call him “brother and friend”.

“And I’m grateful for his selfless service to this nation,” said Biden, who was vice president during Obama’s tenure.

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The message was accompanied by a photo of the two hands facing each other. The president had no plans to attend the big party, which was eventually canceled, but he planned to “meet” Obama soon to “welcome him to the over 60 club,” a spokesperson said. word of the White House earlier this week.

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