Biden turns 80 minus party

The US president did not celebrate his birthday at the White House

WASHINGTON (AFP) — For the first time in history, a sitting president turned 80 years old in the White House on Sunday but did not celebrate in any public way.

It wasn’t until midafternoon that First Lady Jill Biden posted an affectionate message, with two photos of the couple dancing in tuxedos and gala attire.

“There’s no one else I’d rather dance with than you. Happy Birthday Joe! I love you,” Jill Biden tweeted.

It was the sole mention from the White House of the birthday, and with no public event scheduled no indication emerged of how, or even if, the president would celebrate his birthday.

Just a day earlier, the Biden family hosted a large-scale fete at the White House — the wedding of Biden’s granddaughter Naomi, which was closed to the press.