Despite being a target of Joan Rivers’ zingers, President Barack Obama sent Melissa Rivers a heartfelt note to express his condolences following the death of her mother, Joan Rivers.
“I received a letter from the White House, President Obama, someone who has often been a target of her jokes, as was Mrs. Obama, but I received a handwritten note saying, ‘Not only did she make us laugh, she made us think,’” said Melissa during a special tribute episode, “Fashion Police: Celebrating Joan.”
Joan ruffled feathers in July when she called President Obama gay and called First Lady Michelle Obama a “tranny.”
She later, in her own way, brushed off her comments, telling CNN, “I think it’s a compliment. She’s so attractive, tall, with a beautiful body, great face, does great makeup. Take a look and go back to ‘La Cage Au Folles.’ The most gorgeous women are transgender.”
Following Joan’s death on Sept. 4, the White House failed to release a statement — something it usually does following a notable death.
E!’s special 90-minute tribute to Joan airs Friday at 8 p.m.