Barack Obama Not Buying Michelle Obama $30k Ring

Drudge is pushing a story from the London Daily Mail that has President-Elect Barack Obama making an epic splurge on First Lady-Elect Michelle Obama:

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.

There's just one problem: The story isn't true.

The Obama Press Office told me this:

The story is not true, there is no $30,000.00 ring.

I also contacted the jeweler in the story, Bosco Giovanni. Here's what their spokesman, Enrico Gamba, said via email:

I regret to inform you that because of reports so wrong and clearly different from the reality of our statements, we decided to not issue statement on this matter.

Unfortunately, we were negatively affected by read on national and foreign media news stories that have no basement[sic], and in excess of the objective reality.

I inform you that we have no intention to disseminate more information about this story.

Much like the tale of Michelle Obama's Caligula-style snack at the Waldorf-Astoria, this is another attempt to paint the Obamas as elitist and out of touch that has proven false.

Even so, if the story had been true, I would have to say that Obama was getting off cheap, considering his epic failure to remember how long the couple has been married. Barack, if you're reading this, I can totally put you in touch with that jeweler. I recommend you get the matching earrings.

Tommy Christopher co-hosts "Unusable Signal" , on BlogTalkRadio Tues - Thur at 10pm, and Fri, & Sat at 11pm. Click here for the Unusable Signal homepage.