When you are the leader of the free world, you can invite whomever you want to an event and they will show up.
When that event is your 50th birthday — even if it's on the day the stock market took a dive — well, that makes you even more popular.
So who did President Barack Obama invite to his 50th birthday bash? Huffington Post provided the details.
There were, of course, the political types like Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, Chair of the Federal Communications Commission Julius Genachowski and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
But then there were the celebs — a mixture of musicians, comedians, athletes and actors.
Jay-Z came, as did Chris Rock, Tom Hanks, Charles Barkley and basketball player Grant Hill.
And what party would be complete without live music?
R&B songstress Ledisi performed in the East Room and Stevie Wonder performed a medley of his hits.
Obama Foodorama notes that the menu consisted of picnic fare, with guests chowing down on grilled chicken, steak and Chicago-style hot dogs, with a salad concocted from greens plucked from First Lady Michelle Obama's kitchen garden. Birthday cake and pie followed for dessert.
Former "American Idol" star Jennifer Hudson performed at an earlier Obama birthday bash at Chicago's Aragon Ballroom, along with Herbie Hancock and OK Go.
Too bad Obama called Kanye West a "jackass" after dissing Taylor Swift at those Video Music Awards. It would have been great to hear him and Jay-Z perform something from their new album.
Another notable absence from the soiree: Obama supporter Oprah Winfrey, who was apparently too busy righting her struggling OWN network to attend.
At the Aragon celebration, Hudson, OK Go and Rahm Emanuel serenaded the president with a rendition of Happy Birthday.
