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Obama Attends PSY Gig Despite Controversy

Gangnam star performs at Christmas in Washington concert
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 10, 2012 1:00 AM CST
Obama Attends PSY Gig Despite Controversy
President Obama, with his daughters Malia and Sasha, join Conan O'Brien, singer Megan Hilty, PSY, and other performers at the Christmas in Washington presentation.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

President Obama and his family attended a charity concert starring K-Pop juggernaut PSY last night despite controversy over anti-American lyrics he rapped in 2004. Other performers at the annual "Christmas in Washington" concert, which raises funds for a children's hospital and has been attended by the first family every year since its inception in 1981, included Diana Ross and the Naval Academy Glee Club, ABC reports. Conan O'Brien hosted the event, which will be broadcast on December 21.

At the concert, the "Gangnam Style" superstar, who has issued an apology for his anti-US rap, crooned about chestnuts and Jack Frost before launching into his megahit, the Washington Post reports. Obama shook his hand after the show but didn't mention him in his speech to the crowd." Yes, tonight is about Conan, and Diana Ross, and Santa, all the other talented folks on this stage," Obama said. "But it’s also about the Americans who are spending this holiday in a hospital bed or a shelter, or protecting our freedom on the battlefield far from home." (More Psy stories.)

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