![CNN guest suggests Obama's birthday party justified in spite of COVID because attendees were 'sophisticated' and 'vaccinated'](https://www.theblaze.com/media-library/cnn-guest-suggests-obama-s-birthday-party-justified-in-spite-of-covid-because-attendees-were-sophisticated-and-vaccinated.jpg?id=27162128&width=1245&height=700&quality=85&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C10)
Image source: Twitter/@CalebHowe screenshot
A New York Times reporter sparked a firestorm of backlash over the weekend after relaying sentiment that justified former President Barack Obama's grandiose 60th birthday party.
The star-studded crowd — which included famous actors, musicians, media personalities, and politicians from all across the country — were seen partying around Obama's Martha's Vineyard estate without wearing face masks. Obama himself was pictured without wearing a face covering.
While Democrats advocate for mask and vaccine mandates, New York Times White House correspondent Annie Karni seemingly justified the mass gathering of Obama's birthday party by relaying the sentiment of some Martha's Vineyard residents.
"They're following all the safety precautions. People are going to sporting events that are bigger than this," Karni said, repeating some island residents. "This is a sophisticated, vaccinated crowd."
Speaking about criticism of the party, Karni added, "This is just about optics. It's not about safety."
"a sophisticated, vaccinated crowd"pic.twitter.com/qzh3glcQTQ— Caleb Howe (@Caleb Howe) 1628381147
Earlier in the interview, Karni explained the COVID-related precautions that Obama's staff took — and requiring guests to be vaccinated was not one of them.
"Well, first of all, to be clear, this party is outdoors. All the guests had to submit negative COVID tests to a COVID coordinator and were encouraged to be vaccinated," Karni said.
"They were not required to be vaccinated, but most of this crowd is assumed to be vaccinate," she added. "So they are following all CDC precautions."
The sentiment that Karni relayed was quickly called out for its elitist stench that suggests "sophisticated" people can live by different rules than non-sophisticated people.
Martha's Vineyard has been designated as an area with "high" transmission of COVID-19 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which theoretically means residents should wear face masks indoors and avoid large gatherings.