Critics have slammed the setup for Barack Obama’s 60th birthday party celebration which had a guest list of hundred of guests on Saturday night.
The celebration began just as night began to fall on Martha’s Vineyard off the Massachusetts coast.
The sprawling setup in the grounds of the Obama’s $12million mansion has been taking shape all week long as huge marquees and tents were erected.
But with the coronavirus still a concern, the event drew some disparaging comments from those in Republican circles who scoffed at the idea the party had been ‘scaled back’.
‘It’s hypocrisy at its finest and shows they don’t believe what they are saying,’ Republican Party consultant Ryan James Girdusky said to the New York Post.
‘The liberal elites are laughing at us, attempting to sell this as a ‘scaled-back party,’ ‘ said GOP chairwoman and upstate New York Rep. Elise Stefanik. ‘Rules for thee and not for me.’
The first of hundreds of guests to the celebration began arriving on Saturday evening. The ‘trimmed down’ guest list of ‘close family and friends’ reads more like the attendees of a Hollywood awards show.
On Friday, DailyMail.com revealed the true scale of the party that the former president had tried to pass off as an ‘intimate family affair’, but our exclusive aerial shots showed a marquee far bigger than his waterfront mansion complete with Sperry tents, a raised stage and sprung dance floor with a set-up that has taken days.
‘His close friends apparently include his golfing buddies, politicians, celebrities,’ one local businessmantold the Daily Mail. ‘Those people are here on the island and I doubt he’ll be turning them all away.
‘He wants people to think this is going to be small and intimate, but I don’t think we have the same definition of intimate.’
‘People didn’t want to disrespect him or throw ice on the party but everybody I spoke to was upset that 700 people would be congregating under a tent,’ said Alan Dershowitz, president Trump’s first impeachment lawyer and former Martha’s Vineyard resident.
‘There was a lot of upset about that and a lot of people on the Vineyard are happy he scaled it back. Everyone but Larry David because he got dissed.’
As Barack Obama’s 60th birthday party begins, guests, secret service and party staff are seen on the shoreline behind the Obama residence, which sits on the Great Pond in Edgartown, on Martha’s Vineyard
The final preparations are made in a series of tents set up on the sprawling property
As Barack Obama’s 60th birthday party begins kayakers, boaters and paddle boarders are seen sneaking a peak at the party behind the Obama residence, which sits on the Great Pond in Edgartown. A security zone was setup today with blue buoys marking a restricted area as Massachusetts Environmental Police keep track of passersby
Secret service and party staff are seen on the shoreline behind the Obama’s residence
Mary Carroll and Ann Kendrick, of Apopka, Florida hold signs wishing Barack Obama a happy birthday as his 60th birthday party kicks off, while kayaking directly behind the Obama residence
The tents set up for the party can be seen sneaking behind the trees on the Obama’s estate
Staff working at the party snap a few selfies before the main event got underway on Saturday night
Those working at the event managed to snap shots of themselves on the Obama’s property before things kicked off
Various seating areas had been set up for the guests in order to enjoy themselves at the party on Saturday night
Staff working at the party chuckle as they share a selfie between themselves
As guests arrive in their SUV’s, Martha’s Vineyard Police and Secret Service watch the entrance to Barack’s birthday bash
Some guests arrived at the party by minibus and were checked in at the front entrance
There was plenty of staff on hand in order to ensure things ran smoothly on Saturday night
Staff were seen catching a few moments of relaxation before things began in earnest
A member of the Secret Service could be seen on his phone with final preparations underway before the celebration began
A security zone was setup today with blue buoys marking a restricted area as Massachusetts Environmental Police kept track of boats nearby
As guests arrive in their SUV’s, Martha’s Vineyard Police and Secret Service watch the entrance to Barack Obama’s home
Staff working at the party could be seen close to the shoreline of the home with hours before the party kicked off
One of the open air bars at the party was being set up along the waterfront late on Saturday evening
Staff could be seen as they prepared to work the event on Saturday night with colorful flower arrangements able to be seen
Staff working at the party were spotted taking a few minutes of down time before the event kicked off in earnest
Staff wearing matching outfits and some with earpieces could be seen scanning the shoreline
Staff appeared relaxed as the time for the party drew near
A beachfront bar was set up along the shoreline of the sprawling Martha’s Vineyard estate
As Barack Obama’s 60th birthday party begins kayakers, boaters and paddle boarders are seen sneaking a peak at the party behind the Obama residence
A final look by staff to ensure everything is in order before Saturday night’s big celebration
Staff seemed content to grab a few minutes of relaxation on the Adirondack chairs before the event began
On Saturday DailyMail.com learned that a Temporary Flight Restriction had been put in place over the Obama’s mansion with the secret service threatening to make it permanent.
Restrictions on flying drones anywhere near the property were also bolstered earlier in the week.
But however stringent their attempts to keep the party under wraps there is no hiding the celebrities who have descended on an island already used to dealing with the world’s rich and famous.
DailyMail.com has learned that Grammy Award winning singer and composer Alicia Keyes will sing Happy Birthday at the party that is bristling with legendary names from the world of music, movie and politics.
From Questlove, to Beyonce and Jay Z to John Legend who arrived on the island with wife Christy Teigen, Friday afternoon there will be no shortage of entertainment.
Legend and Teigen were seen strolling through Edgartown on Saturday afternoon with children and puppy in tow.
Earlier on Saturday, Obama was seen playing golf at the elite Vineyard Havens Country Club with a group of around 20 friends.
Barack Obama heads to a local golf course just hours before he is set to celebrate his 60th birthday in a huge marquee at his $12million Martha’s Vineyard home
Barack Obama headed to the Vineyard Golf Club just before noon on Saturday accompanied by a huge entourage of security and male friends, including the actor Don Cheadle
Obama’s 60th birthday bash was scheduled to begin at 7pm on Saturday evening
Former President Barack Obama played golf with his Secret Service entourage seen close by
The former President Obama and his buddies hit the golf course on Saturday
Barack Obama is pictured at Vineyard Golf Club around lunchtime on Saturday ahead of his birthday party
The former president was seen on the links on Saturday lunchtime at the Martha’s Vineyard club
Obama played golf with actor Don Cheadle and at least 20 other friends
Refreshments were laid out underneath a small outdoor tent by the clubhouse
Al Sharpton could be seen wearing a nice blue suit as he checked into the Richard Boutique hotel in a quaint area of Edgartown
A maskless Kathleen and Finnegan Biden are seen in Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard flanked by secret service agents just before Barack Obama’s 60th Birthday party
The pair were seen walking around the picturesque town whilst Finnegan was on a bicycle whilst the two agents walked in front
His golfing came just as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also arrived on the island, despite having been cut from the list. She is said to have travelled to the island to attend a dinner in her honor, to be held on Sunday.
Hours before the celebrations kicked off in earnest, a Massachusetts State Trooper’s vehicle together with an ambulance and a local fire department truck were seen positioned along Barack Obama’s private road on Martha’s Vineyard. A firefighter refused to say why he was there when asked.
Guests at the event have flown in from around the world in order to attend Obama’s birthday weekend. Reported attendee George Clooney was in Italy just last week.
Meanwhile, actor Bradley Cooper and singer Erykah Badu missed the Friday festivities, however they will be in attendance at Saturday’s bigger celebration. The stars were both seen touching down on Martha’s Vineyard this morning.
Oscar winning director Steven Spielberg was seen arriving at the local airport on Saturday afternoon. So too was Al Sharpton, who was spotted checking into a nearby hotel.
A maskless Kathleen and Finnegan Biden, Hunter Biden’s ex-wife and his 21-year-old daughter, were seen strolling around in Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard flanked by secret service agents hours before Obama’s birthday party began.
Nancy Pelosi is pictured arriving a the Sydney Hotel in Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard
Pelosi, arrived in a four vehicle convoy as Massachusetts State Police and the Secret Service closed the road down when she arrived and went into the hotel
Pelosi was fully masked as she entered the Sydney Hotel in Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard
Singer Erykah Badu also landed on the Massachusetts island shortly before the scheduled start of Saturday’s celebration
Chrissy Teigen is pictured arriving on the island of Martha’s Vineyard with and her son Miles and a stack of luggage
Teigen’s husband John Legend was seen with their bags as the couple arrived ahead of the party
Among the biggest arrivals are Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, who are seen in exclusive DailyMail.com photos
John Legend is on car-seat duty as he and Chrissy Teigen arrive with their children for Obama’s party
Late Show host Stephen Colbert and his wife Evelyn were also seen arriving the day before the star-studded event
Television presenter and comedian Stephen Colbert and his wife Evelyn already have a home on the island
Presidential enjoy for climate John Kerry took a private jet to the island of Martha’s Vineyard
Presidential envoy for climate John Kerry was pictured arriving with his dogs and wearing a mask
The vast main tent stands out over surrounding mansions on Martha’s Vineyard
Drinks on the deck! Obama was pictured on the deck of the upscale establishment chatting with guests as they took in sweeping views of the ocean at sundown
Barack Obama has kicked off his 60th birthday weekend on Martha’s Vineyard with an intimate cocktail party held at a swanky resort
Last night they were among a host of stars who enjoyed a pre-party cocktail gathering at Winnetu Oceanside Resort, where Obama was pictured chatting with guests as they took in sweeping ocean views from the deck.
The former commander-in-chief appeared in high spirits, smiling as he schmoozed with the crowd. He sported a more casual look with black dress pants and a dark button down shirt without a tie.
Despite the New York Times reporting that Oprah Winfrey had withdrawn from the party early amid concerns about Covid 19’s Delta variant the television host was reportedly at a pre party event at the island’s swanky resort on the bluffs on the edge of town.
Michelle and Barrack were reportedly present enjoying time with guests including Tom Hanks, George Clooney and Winfrey’s long-time partner Steadman Graham and friend Gayle King all of whom are on the island for tonight’s bash
Hunter Biden’s ex Kathleen and her daughter, Finnegan, are also staying at the resort and believed to be among the throng set to celebrate with Obama Saturday evening.
Barack Obama’s Secret Service vehicles leave the family home in Martha’s Vineyard, MA Obama’s Secret Service detail consisted of a 5 vehicle motorcade as they drove away from the area around prime time for a dinner reservation. The Secret Service set up a no-fly zone
Pressed hoteliers across the vineyard told of being unable to find taxis for their regular guests as taxi companies are booked solid by those attending the Obama extravaganza.
Among the others to arrive on the Vineyard are Spike Lee who enjoyed a slow start to his day with a drink from Vineyard Haven’s Mocha Motts and Bradley Cooper who checked into the exclusive Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown.
Even by the standards of an island used to the presence of stars this is a heady lot.
Political royalty, Caroline Kennedy is set to attend as well as former US Ambassador now Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development Samantha Power and Rev Al Sharpton who checked into a boutique hotel on island Saturday afternoon.
Asked if he was looking forward to the party Sharpton remained tight lipped and said only, ‘I always hang out in Martha’s Vineyard.’
John Kerry arrives on Martha’s Vineyard for Obama’s 60th birthday bash
Hunter Biden’s ex-wife Kathleen (left) and their daughter Finnegan (right) also arrived on the island for the party – but Hunter was nowhere to be seen
As well as people, gifts were also en route. Former Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett drew consternation last week by asking Americans still struggling with covid induced shortages to donate $6 or $60 to Obama’s library in Chicago for his birthday.
Meanwhile DailyMail.com has learned that one of the former president’s birthday gifts is an exclusive and mysterious manuscript.
Wrapped in a black box, tied with a silver ribbon it was so closely guarded that it was flown in the clutches of a courier with instructions to hand it directly over to Obama, but was forced instead to hand it over to his secret service detail.
According to the source, ‘I don’t think even he knew what it [the manuscript] was, only that he had to give it directly to the former president.’
Guests arrive at The Barn, a restaurant and bowling alley, in Oaks Bluff, MA, on Martha’s Vineyard, for an event with President Obama
Barack and Michelle Obama shake hands with people before going to lunch at Nancy’s Restaurant while vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard
Look who landed! Bradley Cooper may have missed out on Friday’s festivities but he was seen in Martha’s Vineyard on Saturday morning
Obama was seen for the first time since he turned 60 Wednesday in these exclusive pictures and video showing the former president enjoying a round of golf near his home in Martha’s Vineyard
President Barack Obama is seen golfing, with three other golfers and secret service close by, just a day after his 60th birthday at the Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
The president emerged from the family’s $12million estate shortly after noon Thursday. Making the most of a break in the weather after a rainy start to the day, he took to the greens of Farm Neck Club on the edges of the town of Oak Bluffs.
Former White House photographer Pete Souza shadowed Obama as he played golf.
The 60-year-old joined the club which boasts that it is ‘fully organic,’ with ground keepers using no chemicals or pesticides, in 2016.
The course also encourages caddies not carts and the president and his three companions towed the line and walked the course.
Membership costs $12,000 a year on top of a $350,000 initiation fee and is currently at full capacity with 305 members.
Dressed in mottled navy polo shirt and navy slacks, he a wore a silver trimmed navy baseball cap that appeared to be a light-hearted birthday gift and bore the numbers 44 and 60 – a nod to his presidency and age.