Obama Did Not Buy Michelle Rare Gold Ring, Says Spokesperson

UPDATE: The Obama camp flatly denies that Obama bought his wife Michelle a $33,000 rhodium ring as a thank you gift, according to The Chicago Sun Times. "'No ring was purchased,' said [Obama spokesperson Ben] LaBolt." The statement was made in response to a Daily Mail article claiming that he would.

Here is an excerpt from the original Daily Mail story:

Michelle Obama is to receive this £20,000 thank you from her husband for her support during the election.

The Harmony ring is made of rhodium - the world's most expensive metal --and encrusted with diamonds. It is being hastily made by Italian designer Giovanni Bosco in time for January's inauguration ceremony.

Only about 25 tons of rhodium are mined each year, mostly in South Africa, and as a result its price is typically around £5,000 an ounce.

Comments

[Vurz]

If Barack Obama wanted to spend this type of money on jewelry for gift for his wife, you know he would have gone to an American jeweler, not to Italy.

It's obvious that the scared right-winger at the Daily Mail has some serious problems with Obama's win. Hopefully they will just go hide under their bed for the next 8 years.

[XME]

While he has every right it the world to buy her whatever he chooses to and can afford, and she certainly deserves it after the past two years, this did not seem like either of their style.

They strike me as a couple who is more touched by the sentiment in something small, that may not have cost anything, than in a gift that's simply outrageously expensive for the sake of being expensive.

[Beca]

What the heck would be wrong with Obama buying an expensive ring for his wife?! I don't understand ! Whether he spends millions or nothing on a gift for his wife, that is their personal business and any type of reporting on this is way out of bounds!

[karela]

Michelle would have his head if he spent that much on a ring. Up until four years ago they were still paying off their college loans. They only got ahead when his books started selling. But, even if he had wanted to give her a ring, he wouldn't choose something that the press spoiled the surprise about. Remember on their anniversary when the press published the white roses he bought for her before he could get them to her. It took the fun out of it for her. I doubt that he'll let that happen again if he can possibly avoid it. The press should butt out. They can tell us all about it after he gives her the presents he brings her------but not before!

[pir anha]

i figured it wasn't true without separate confirmation. so should the huffington post, if it worked just a wee bit harder on verifying stories instead of behaving like drudge. come on, guys, get it together. i am NOT here to read a tabloid.

[annschneider1]

Why did we all already know this was not true?? ....It just isn't something the Obama's would do. It is so Republican and such a silly waste.

[bolingo]

The Daily Mail especially columnist Liz Jones are negatively biased against Obama. They are the print version of Fox News.

[naschkatze]

No kidding! And I hope HuffPo will not follow Drudge's lead again in the near future.

[inluvwkeitholbermann]

i'm sure the jewelers are plssed....­.imagine the jump in sales to be like the obamas

[Highwind]

It's nobody's business what Obama buys his wife. I swear the media sucks big time.

[Fongenie]

For real.

[Kevanlove]

It's NOT a ring in that picture, it's a bracelet!

I designed jewelry for years and my husband makes and repairs jewelry, rings do not have bumpy stuff of the inside , it makes them uncomfortable to wear. They don't have two big bands in the back that don't connect together, either.

it's a bracelet. It's a bullshit story.

[snarkopolitan]

That would make them some honking big diamonds, wouldn't it? The thing looks like a driveway reflector.

[tahoegal]

If the president-elect chooses to buy an expensive gift for his wife of many years, what's it to anybody? If he uses THEIR money, what's it to you? Todd and Sarah's extravagances were with the GOP donors money. HUGE DIFFERENCE!

[Trina44]

You speak the truth something the Republican party trolls would never understand all they know is attack using fake smears. And they wonder why they lost :)

[Grasshopper77]

The Daily Mail?? Puuhleeeze! Tabloid pablum.

[propitiousmoment]

I have no problem with him giving her a gift, although I can't see him spending that kind of money. A tenth of that price would still be a lovely thank you gift, and she deserves it, da mn it! And he is the kind of thoughtful, considerate guy that would do something like that (let's hope it gives him the idea if he hasn't already thought of it!)

HOWEVER:

That is one uuuggglllllyyyyy ring :) Let's hope he has better taste.

[zippy2112]

this is not the Obama I voted for

[Wiserone]

Business as usual for the Rethug's. Wouldn't be surprised if some Rethug whimp fabricated this story in order to stop the Obama's, "Success Bus" from continuing to barrel down the road. We've got an econcomy tanking and what does a Rethug pull out of the VERY OLD AND OUTDATED ROVIAN HANDBOOK? Obama spending crazy cash in these dire times!!!! It will get play time for the next 24 hours and cause Obama's Success Bus to be derailed for a while or until at least Palin is in town. Get it, folks? Contrasts?? Are we still falling for the Bush ET AL B.S.??? Have 'y all forgotten about 'shock and awe'?? Think that just applies to war?? It was what fueled what type of information was relayed by the White House for the last 8 years. Seems like they can still hook some in.