Michelle Obama to receive $30,000 thank you from the President-Elect

by Meg Massie (RSS feed)
Dec 1st 2008 at 3:01PM

She loves her inexpensive outfits from the mall, but Michelle Obama will soon be sporting something much fancier than anything you'll find at J. Crew.

A spokesman for top Italian designer Giovanni Bosco has confirmed that President-Elect Barack Obama is looking to purchase a $30,000 Harmony ring made of rhodium and encrusted with diamonds as a thank you gift to his wife Michelle. We expect the future First Lady to receive the ring in time for her husband's January inauguration ceremony. The gift is a thank you for her support throughout the last two years of campaigning.

One of the world's rarest and most precious metals, only about 25 tons of rhodium are mined each year, setting the price at over $7,660 per ounce -- or about ten times the cost of gold. The ring may be uncharacteristically extravagant for Mrs. Obama, but we're sure she'll find a way to wear it with all her usual grace and confidence.

UPDATE: Apparently, the veracity of the story is in limbo. Obama's team is flatly denying the existence of the gift, and the purported jeweler has clammed up, refusing to comment at all. Is this just an attempt to paint the soon-to-be First Couple as out-of-touch with the "common American"? Or is it just a silly rumor?

Gallery: Michelle Obama - First Lady of Fashion?

Tags: barack obama, BarackObama, Giovanni Bosco, GiovanniBosco, harmony-ring, jewlery, michelle obama, MichelleObama, rhodium

Filed under: Jewelry

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

alexanbd Dec 1st 2008 5:02PM

Come on, I know blogs are not journalism, but since journalism cannot do without bias, I was hoping maybe a blog could. This post held up until about the last sentence.

Is it about Mrs. Obama's grace and confidence? The ring? Or the senator - he isn't even President-Elect yet - spending $30K on a bauble for his wife while the Dow sheds over 600pts in a session?

Hmmm?

Lisa Dec 2nd 2008 10:05AM

"Or the senator - he isn't even President-Elect yet"---- On November 4th, Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States. That makes him the President-Elect until January 20, 2009 when he is inaugurated and becomes the President.

alexanbd Dec 2nd 2008 10:11AM

Actually, Lisa, one does not become "President-elect" until after the electoral college casts its votes. Winning the popular vote makes it more likely than not one will win the necessary "electoral" votes, but there have been instances in the past where popular vote victory has not lead to electoral victory.

I am not saying he won't win the electoral votes, I am saying he is not yet President-elect. So, Mr. Obama is Senator Obama until after December 15, 2008.

But thanks for playing along at home. I am glad I was able to expand your knowledge of civics.

Lisa Dec 2nd 2008 10:29AM

Thank you, I stand corrected. Sorry, it's been a while since I've been out of high school civics so I had forgotten that until the electoral college votes, it is not official. Thanks for the lesson. :) You should give the media a refresher course.

james norman Dec 1st 2008 8:38PM

Day likes da bling.

Delilah Dec 1st 2008 8:02PM

Not even made in America. And the press raged that the RNC spent money for Sarah P. clothes, which they didn't and any of which will be donated to charity. Where is the outrage here!!!!

Jane Dec 2nd 2008 8:47AM

Perhaps no outrage because he's buying it with his OWN money and not the DNC thrift store?
Who is to tell you what car you can't buy?

Outraged Dec 2nd 2008 9:42AM

Well where do you think Obama's money came from? It is from us. Before posting, you should educate yourself first. Obama made the 2nd most earnings from the financial crisis. This was not something he wanted out. But if you follow the money, you will see he made out with millions, while others are losing their homes and going hungry. Still want your change?

Vorenious Dec 1st 2008 8:03PM

I guess, sharing the wealth in the Obama's family means wasting $30K on a gift, while many in America are being evicted and foreclosed on?

Change is coming all right, the rich get richer and greedier and the poor get poorer.

He sucked so many of you stupid Democrats and others in believing, he believed in sharing the wealth and helping the poor!

And all you dumb fools fell for his line!

Catherine Dec 1st 2008 11:48PM

What President-Elect Obama does with his own money is really his business. Good for him and Michelle.

What was outlandish about the $150,000 PLUS clothes extravaganza for Sarah Palin was that that money came straight from donors who, I'm sure, would rather have had their money go to more important things.

Haha Dec 2nd 2008 10:18AM

Hahaha.
"Change is coming all right, the rich get richer and greedier and the poor get poorer"

since when is this a new concept? its been this way in american history for hundreds of years, and its not about to change now or anytime soon.

Quintin Dec 1st 2008 8:14PM

Barry says corporate exec's should pass on their bonuses during these tough times. To do otherwise would show how out of touch they are with the strife average Americans are experiencing. Uh, ??!! - WTF... This is going to be a fun show to watch for the next four years. The Obama fantasy is going to unraval fast...

Jane Dec 1st 2008 10:43PM

Wow, congratulations, Michelle! You had to keep your mouth shut and stay out of the way so you wouldn't hurt Barry's chances. And this is your reward. Smart girl! It will look great on you!

Ed Dec 1st 2008 8:24PM

What a FRAUD!

Just like Slick Willie's "Ah feel yo' pain" nonsense, this impostor has fooled every liberal alive.

How do you spell "dumb?"

I can't WAIT to see his next trick!

lalaland Dec 1st 2008 8:22PM

but he is the one telling us we need to spread the wealth!!! if a ceo spent this much, I would not bat an eye. but HE??? the marxist??? what a hypocrite!!!

cynthia Dec 1st 2008 8:28PM

It is a personal gift from the heart in sincere appreciation
for her support under very trying days of much work
and effort. The quality of the gift is the symbol of just
how much he loves her. I praise his choice and respect
his value for her and her contribution to his life.

Kathy Dec 1st 2008 8:25PM

Can't wait for the outrage from Democrats over such extravagent spending in a time of financial crisis in America. Hungry, starving, homeless and financially harmed people and Obama spends a fortune on a bauble for his angry wife who thinks America is a downright mean country. When does the impeachment trials begin? Surely after Palin being crucified by the press for clothes that were not purchased at her request and Nancy Reagan's dishes bought by donors, this outrage will not go unnoticed by the press.

"The ring may be uncharacteristically extravagant for Mrs. Obama, but we're sure she'll find a way to wear it with all her usual grace and confidence."

Gag me. I had hoped after the elections the MSM would make some attempt to appear professional, but I was wrong. The gutter where journalists lie are still cluttered.

doug Dec 1st 2008 8:27PM

How does a U.S. Senator pay 1.65 M for a home in Chicago...and now this? Don't ask, don't tell?

fred Dec 1st 2008 8:30PM

The Obama's have money, its not like the government is paying for this, he has his own money. You mootthheerrfucckkeerrss are still bitter, get over it. People come here to relax, if you want to talk politics go chat with Rush Limpdick and all the other websites dedicated to talking shit AZZHOLES

Shannon Dec 2nd 2008 9:40AM

fred said...
The Obama's have money, its not like the government is paying for this, he has his own money. You mootthheerrfucckkeerrss are still bitter, get over it. People come here to relax, if you want to talk politics go chat with Rush Limpdick and all the other websites dedicated to talking shit AZZHOLES
***********
Fred - first of all your post shows what an ABSOLUTE LOSER you must be! Second - he only has "his own money" because he gets to keep voting for ridiculous congressional raises year in and year out while they vote down any raise in minimum wages for the rest of us! He's a freaking PUBLIC SERVANT - none of them should be able to afford a wasteful $30,000 "thank you" ring... especially when the rest of us can barely afford groceries! Now why don't you do us all a favor and go crawl back under that shit infested rock you somehow clawed your way out from under, k?

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