Former President Barack Obama on Wednesday vowed to shrink the size of his 60th birthday bash “significantly,” days before a number of high-profile celebrities were set to convene at the Democrat’s luxury home.
On Saturday, Obama was expected to host 475 confirmed guests, including Oprah Winfrey and George Clooney, along with 200 staff working the event, at the former president’s $12 million Martha’s Vineyard mansion in Massachusetts. Obama has promised to nix attendees who aren’t “family and close friends” as the party was the subject of scrutiny from many after coronavirus cases have surged in the United States over the last few weeks.
“Due to the new spread of the delta variant over the past week, the President and Mrs. Obama have decided to significantly scale back the event to include only family and close friends. President Obama is appreciative of others sending their birthday wishes from afar and looks forward to seeing people soon,” a spokesperson for the former first family told Fox News, adding that the “outdoor event was planned months ago in accordance with all public health guidelines and with COVID safeguards in place.”
BIDEN TO SKIP OBAMA’S 60TH BIRTHDAY BASH
Obama turned 60 on Wednesday, though the celebration will take place Saturday.
Pearl Jam was anticipated to play at the event, and questions were raised pertaining to whether President Joe Biden, Obama’s former vice president, would be present. On Monday, a White House official indicated Biden would skip the weekend bash.
“While President Biden is unable to attend this weekend, he looks forward to catching up with former President Obama soon and properly welcoming him into the over-60 club,” an administration official told reporters.
A source familiar with the event said all guests are requested to have been fully vaccinated, though scrutiny still remains as Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, expressed concerns over large gatherings.
“If you’re talking about a small party like I might have at my house for six or eight people who are all fully vaccinated, I do not believe, at this point, we need to put masks on to be next to each other,” he told CNN on Sunday.
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“But if there were 100 people, and, of course, how are you really going to be sure about people’s vaccination status?” he asked. “Then the dynamic changes a little bit. There will be some need for common sense there.”
Over the last two weeks, the U.S. has seen a 139% jump in cases, largely due to the highly contagious delta variant, while hospitalizations have risen 79% and deaths increased by 49%. A total of 50% of the country’s population has been fully vaccinated, as 70% of U.S. adults have received at least one dose.
Obama’s post-presidency office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.
