President Obama won't be absorbed in Beyonce and Jay-Z's recent controversial trip to Cuba, because he has bigger fish to fry. In a new interview with NBC's "Today," the Commander-in-Chief says he wasn't aware of the trip, nor was he involved in any of the decision making.
"I wasn't familiar that they were taking the trip," the President told host Savannah. "My understanding is I think they went through a group that organizes these educational trips down to Cuba. You know, this is not something the White House was involved with. We've got better things to do."
Better things meaning…he has the whole country to run.
"I feel personally responsible the same way I hope every parent out there feels responsible for all our kids. The key thing for me, is every once in a while we are confronted with an issue that should transcend politics," says Obama. "I think the political engines of the party and blogs, et cetera, force people into taking more extreme positions publicly than they actually believe privately. I’m willing to try anything. As I’ve said, I'm willing to wash folks' cars and walk their dogs if I can get some legislation passed."
You heard it from the horses mouth! See video below.
President Obama recently opened up about Beyonce and Jay-Z’s trip to Cuba, which has been a controversial topic of discussion. The power couple made headlines when they took their daughter Blue Ivy on the trip, igniting debate over whether or not it was appropriate for them to visit a country with strained diplomatic relations with the U.S. Now President Obama has finally weighed in on the matter.
In an interview with ABC News this week, President Obama addressed speculation surrounding the power duo’s vacation by saying that he had no problem with them taking the trip. He argued that if Americans are allowed to travel to Cuba legally then celebrities should be treated no differently. This statement from our Commander-in-Chief is sure to create even more buzz surrounding Beyonce and Jay-Z’s Cuban getaway.
The public can’t help but wonder why such influential figures would take such a bold step, especially at a time when tensions between the two countries remain high. With so many questions swirling around these daring travelers, one thing is certain: President Obama’s comments have created quite an uproar – and it isn’t going away anytime soon!
Overview Of The Trip
In April 2013, Beyonce and Jay-Z took a trip to Cuba that sparked a lot of controversy. The couple had received permission from the U.S. government to take an educational tour in Havana for their fifth wedding anniversary. While some people saw the excursion as harmless and thought it was great they were able to experience Cuban culture, others argued that this could be seen as support for the oppressive Castro regime.
President Obama weighed in on the issue when asked about it during a press conference shortly after the trip occurred. He stated his belief that cultural exchange between countries can often have positive effects while also noting that he couldn’t speak to whether or not Jay-Z and Beyonce knew they might cause political controversy by visiting Cuba at that time. He went on to say that it is important we don’t forget our values even if we engage with other cultures around the world – something he believes is beneficial overall for international relations and progress.
Ultimately, President Obama’s comments showed understanding both for those who supported the couple’s decision as well as those who opposed it due to its potential implications in terms of U.S.-Cuba relations. He addressed these two sides of the debate respectfully without taking a stand himself, emphasizing instead that open dialogue between nations is essential for peace and mutual understanding among peoples worldwide.
Reaction From The White House
In the face of this controversy, the White House released a statement addressing President Obama’s thoughts on the matter. The President expressed that he understood how people could have different opinions about Beyonce and Jay-Z’s trip to Cuba and respected both sides’ views. He further added that it is important for us to keep an open dialogue with other nations in order to foster understanding among cultures worldwide.
The statement also highlighted the administration’s commitment to continuing diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba despite any differences in opinion regarding certain issues like travel restrictions or political ideology. It was clear from the response that while some may disagree with what happened, overall President Obama wanted to focus on finding common ground through peaceful discourse rather than engaging in conflict.
Ultimately, by offering his perspective without taking a definitive stance either way, President Obama demonstrated respect for each side of the debate surrounding Jay-Z and Beyonce’s controversial visit to Cuba. His remarks encouraged constructive dialogues between countries and served as a reminder of our values even when we choose to celebrate different cultures around the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, President Obama’s response to Beyonce and Jay-Z’s controversial trip to Cuba was measured. He didn’t condemn their decision outright but instead noted that the US embargo of Cuba has been in place for over 50 years and should be respected.
At the same time, he acknowledged that Americans have a right to travel freely within legal boundaries and expressed understanding about why someone might choose to visit the country despite current restrictions. His comments weren’t meant as an endorsement of Cuban policies, rather they were simply a reminder that citizens need to abide by laws when they take international trips.
Ultimately, this incident demonstrated President Obama’s diplomatic approach towards foreign policy decisions – one which takes into account both existing laws and individual rights. It also highlighted how personal interests can clash with governmental regulations in today’s interconnected world.
Founder and Creator of Singersroom.com and IncredibleWork.com. Follow me on Instagram at @gary.gentles.