President Obama is having a final party at the White House on Friday two weeks before returning to his life as a private citizen.
The Obamas will throw their final bash at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue before Trump’s inauguration on January 20 and is expected to be attended by A-list friends and donors.
Before the party, the President will address the nation for the final time as leader of the free world when he takes to McCormick Place in Chicago on January 10 to deliver his last speech in the same city he gave his first address as POTUS.
First Lady Michelle is also preparing her own farewell and is expected to talk to the American people officially for the last time this month
The Obama goodbye party is expected to be attended by Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, Usher and Sammuel L Jackson, J.J. Abrams, George Lucas, Oprah Winfrey and Bradley Cooper, an insider told the Washington Post.
In an interview with People Magazine in December, FLOTUS and POTUS confirmed they would have a final bash at their residence of eight years.
The last big party at the White House was for the President’s 55th birthday in August.
Although social media was banned from the top secret bash, some stars revealed they were invited.
NBA icon Magic Johnson shared a sweet picture of him and wife Cookie dressed in their best as they headed to the White House party.
Legendary Star Wars director George Lucas was photographed entering the party, although it appeared he made a pit stop to sign an autograph for one lucky fan.
And White House journalist April Ryan turned into a fan herself, making sure to score a selfie with Ellen DeGeneres as they both walked out of the party early.
In 2014, a huge raft of celebrities made their way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for Michelle’s 50th.
‘I gotta tell you, it was literally a house party. It was a house party that happened to be in the White House,’ Al Roker said during a phone interview with The Today Show.
The morning show weatherman was just one of the famous faces in the crowd, which included a host of celebrity Obama supporters like actress Ashley Judd, Disney CEO Bob Iger, designer Donna Karen, and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg.
‘There were all these stars which was kind of terrific in fact for a while there I thought who are all these kids and it turns out Sasha and Malia invited a lot of their friends so there were a lot of young people,’ Roker said.
It is likely President-elect Donald Trump’s parties will not be attended by as many A-listers.
Mr Trump’s team has struggled to find performers for the inauguration.
They did manage to lock down the Radio City Rockettes, but there is already drama with some of the dancers saying they are embarrassed to perform.
Singer Rebecca Ferguson has also publicly mocked the alleged invitation she received to play at the White House.
Trump has maintained that his lack of star power present on inauguration day is intentional.
He tweeted: ‘The so-called “A” list celebrities are all wanting tixs to the inauguration, but look what they did for Hillary, NOTHING. I want the PEOPLE!’
Obama will officially address the nation for the last time as President on January 10 from Chicago’s McCormick Place.
In an email to his supporters, he has hinted at the content of his speech, and said: ‘In 1796, as George Washington set the precedent for a peaceful, democratic transfer of power, he also set a precedent by penning a farewell address to the American people.
‘And over the 220 years since, many American presidents have followed his lead.
‘On Tuesday, January 10, I’ll go home to Chicago to say my grateful farewell to you, even if you can’t be there in person.
‘I’m just beginning to write my remarks.
‘But I’m thinking about them as a chance to say thank you for this amazing journey, to celebrate the ways you’ve changed this country for the better these past eight years, and to offer some thoughts on where we all go from here.
‘Since 2009, we’ve faced our fair share of challenges, and come through them stronger.
‘That’s because we have never let go of a belief that has guided us ever since our founding – our conviction that, together, we can change this country for the better.
‘So I hope you’ll join me one last time. Because, for me, it’s always been about you.’
He will deliver the speech in the same city he addressed America for the fist time as President.
Many years before he got near the White House, he was a community organizer in Chicago.
Having gained his law degree, he worked as a civil rights attorney and taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004.
He went on to serve three terms representing the 13th District in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004.
Much of his presidency has centered around the city, which is home to his beloved Chicago White Sox and his adopted Chicago Bears having supported the Pittsburgh Steelers as a child.
Chicago 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore told ABC 7: ‘This is where his roots are. This is where his biggest support is.’
Michelle Obama’s final event as first lady will be recognizing the school counselor of the year this Friday.
Mrs Obama established these honors and modeled them after the Teacher of the Year awards according to the Associated Press.
Source: Daily Mail