Over the weekend, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a party at the White House with a guest list that exceeded 500 people. The White House press corps took aim at the fact that the party was posted all over social media and was not listed on the president’s schedule.
When asked about the party at Monday’s press briefing, the press corps repeatedly asked how the private party related to the president’s commitment to be the "most transparent administration in history."
"I think that we are talking about a private event and the fact that details of this are known, is an indication that the president is committed to being transparent. At the same time the president and the first lady can reserve the right to host private parties at the White House," said Press Secretary Josh Earnest.
Earnest was also adamant that the president and the first lady paid for the party on their own dime. Earnest ended the answer to the question by adding that the president paying for the party themselves was consistent with his commitment to transparency.