House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was conspicuously missing from former President Barack Obama’s 60th birthday party, confirming on Sunday that she didn’t go because she had other engagements. 

“I didn’t go. I had other parties to go to,” Pelosi answered when asked about Obama’s Martha’s Vineyard celebration, according to the Daily Mail.

The party reported included a star-studded VIP list of more than 500 guests. Among those claimed to attend included George Clooney, Beyonce and Jay-Z.

The birthday event came under much criticism in the day leading up to the event as the area was noted as being high-risk for the transmission of COVID-19.

The event was reportedly scaled back in response to the media attacks. In what ways it was scaled back was not reported or made clear to the public.

The mainstream media also largely gave Obama’s party a pass. In contrast, outlets heavily attacked a large outdoor motorcycle rally in Wisconsin.

Fauci berates mass outdoor gathering in South Dakota, but gives Obama’s birthday bash a pass https://t.co/4pGswF6UDg #FoxNews

— Lou Dobbs (@LouDobbs) August 9, 2021

Pelosi may not have attended the former president’s birthday, but many others did. The large scale celebration has triggered many reactions among those both in support of and critical of COVID-19 restrictions.