Prince's White House Private Party for Obamas on 'Own Dime'

A private White House concert featuring Prince and Stevie Wonder over the weekend had the Obama administration officials on the defensive on Monday.

The party on Saturday night was not disclosed on the President Barack Obama's public schedule and a guest list had not been released, but White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters Monday the private party for the Obamas was done "on their own dime," reported The Hill.



"The president and the first lady are going to reserve the right to host private parties at the White House, and they did it on their own dime," Earnest said to reporters. While Earnest agreed the party was "not part of the responsibilities of the president and first lady," he continued to defend it.

"The point is that the president and first lady — and I think most people across the country would acknowledge, that is an appropriate thing for the president and first lady to do," Earnest said, according to Time magazine. "Which is to open their house up to guests for a private party on a Saturday night."

While there is no official word on the reported 500 guests, the New York Post quoted sources who said the attendees included Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and his date, singer Ciara; singers Jon Bon Jovi and James Taylor; television and movie star and producer Tyler Perry; CBS morning anchor Gayle King; Connie Britton, Angela Bassett, Tracee Ellis Ross, fashion designer Naeem Khan and J.Crew's Jenna Lyons.

The Post said Obama's daughters Sasha and Malia attended the party alongside Carlyle Group co-founder David Rubenstein, 32 Advisors' Robert Wolf, American Express' Ken Chenault, former attorney general Eric Holder, education secretary Arne Duncan and National Security Adviser Susan Rice.

Rev. All Sharpton posted a Twitter post about the party, possibly tipping off the media.

Leaving the White House party w/POTUS and FLOTUS. Awesome to see Prince and Stevie Wonder on keyboards together. Unbelievable experience.

— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) June 14, 2015

"In one show stopping number, Prince introduced Wonder to the stage and the pair sang 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours' for grooving guests," said the Post about the party, which was held in the East Room. "DJ Cassidy took over after the show and spun tunes for the rest of the night."


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