White House Defends Barack Obama’s Plan to Hold 500-Person Birthday Party Amid Rapid Spread of COVID Delta Variant

The White House has defended former President Barack Obama's plan to hold a birthday party with at least 500 visitors amid the rapid spread of the COVID delta variant across the country.

A Fox News reporter claimed that Obama's gathering could be a super spreader event considering the rise in delta variant cases as well as breakthrough cases among vaccinated Americans, The Daily Mail reported.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki dodged the question, saying the former president has been a huge advocate of individuals getting vaccinated.

Barack Obama was placed under fire after his plans of holding a birthday party at his Martha's vineyard mansion were made public.

Jen Psaki noted that the upcoming birthday party is entirely outside, and the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are for indoor settings at high or substantial "high zones" of COVID cases.

All guests would reportedly have to be COVID tested and vaccinated, and the said gathering would be held outdoors on Obama's 30-acre waterfront property.

The Fox reporter then asked the White House official if the said party of Barack Obama could signal that Americans can also host their own parties like the former president.

"We certainly advise everyone to follow public health guidelines which, I know, the former president would certainly advocate for himself as well," Jen Psaki answered.

The White House press secretary added that she would refer the reporter to people who have knowledge about the terms and protocols that would be implemented at the birthday party of Barack Obama.

White House Says Pres. Joe Biden Will Not Attend Barack Obama's Party

Despite the massive guestlist of Barack Obama's birthday party this weekend, a White House official said that President Joe Biden - Obama's vice president during his tenure - would not be attending the gathering.

The White House official did not disclose the reason for Biden's absence from the party. However, the official noted that Joe Biden "looks forward to catching up with former President Obama."

The birthday party that Joe Biden would not attend was known to raise eyebrows among experts. National Institutes of Health (NIH) director, Francis Collins, noted that big parties should be avoided.

"If there were 100 people [in the party], how are you really going to be sure about people's vaccination status?" Collins told CNN's "State of the Union."

Pearl Jam is Not Performing on Barack Obama's Birthday Party

Apart from Joe Biden, Pearl Jam will also not be present at the party despite earlier reports that the rock band would be present, Fox News reported.

"Pearl Jam is not performing at Obama's 60th birthday party this weekend," a spokesperson for the rock band said on Monday.

The Daily Mail reported that at least 475 individuals were confirmed to be Barack Obama's guests, including George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, and Steven Spielberg.

More than 200 staff members would also be present at the party, as well as a COVID coordinator, to make sure that all protocols are being followed.

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Jen Psaki Defends Former President Barack Obama's 'Superspreader' Birthday Part - From The Independent