Barack Obama is scaling back his 60th birthday bash amid surging Coronavirus Delta variant cases around the country.
The former U.S. President sparked outrage over plans for his huge 60th birthday bash with a guest list of 500 people and 200 workers at his beachfront Martha’s Vineyard estate.
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Original plans called for a guest list of over 500 celebrities, politicians, professional athletes.
AXIOS reports that all attendees must be tested for COVID and be fully vaccinated, but face masks are not required.
But politicians, public figures, and social media users expressed outrage over news of the private bash.
Many pointed out the hypocrisy of elites like Obama operating under a different set of rules than average Americans.
Attendance is now limited to 200 hundred family and close friends, according to a press release from his office.
Obama spokesperson Hannah Hankins said in a statement:
“This outdoor event was planned months ago in accordance with all public health guidelines and with COVID safeguards in place. 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.”
Obama turned 60 on Wednesday, Aug. 4.
