Barack Obama Spent His Birthday With Oprah And Gayle, Among Others

By now it’s old news that President Obama didn’t get to spend his 49th birthday with Michelle, Malia, or Sasha, who had prior engagements in Spain and at summer camp. As unfortunate as that may be, he managed to wrangle up a few high-profile media moguls (okay, one media mogul and her de facto celebrity friend) to go to dinner with him.

Being in Chicago for the evening, it was only natural for Obama to invite Oprah Winfrey and her BFF Gayle King to dine with him in celebration of the big 4-9. Other guests at the reportedly three hour meal included his friends Marty Nesbitt and Eric Whitaker, as well as Valerie Jarrett, an old pal and current senior White House advisor. And following a new trend in politics, they dined at the restaurant of a former Top Chef contestant.

Birthday dinner aside, Obama had a pretty tame day, talking to his family on the phone and speaking to the executive council of a labor group. But who cares about all that. It’s more fun imaging Obama walking into the restaurant and being greeted by Oprah screaming “Baraaack OOOOBAAAMAAAA!” as Gayle sits quietly, smiling and waiting for her turn to speak between her friend’s excited bellows.

Happy (belated) birthday, Mr. President!

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