Obama Responds to Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s Cuba Trip: ‘We’ve Got Better Things To Do’

President Barack Obama sat down with NBC reporter Savannah Guthrie and discussed Jay-Z and Beyoncé's recent trip to Cuba. "I wasn't familiar that they were taking the trip," Obama told Guthrie. "You know, this is not something the White House was involved with. We've got better things to do."

The hip-hop power couple was heavily criticized for taking a vacation to Cuba. Jay-Z and Beyoncé toured Havana to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary. The reason everyone was so up in arms is a two-fold problem, first let's consider the legal aspects.

America's 51-year embargo makes it illegal for U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba solely for tourism. Travelers can visit the country legally by obtaining a "cultural exchange" license.

Also, TMZ reported that Jay-Z and Beyoncé seem completely unaware of the social turmoil occurring in Cuba. Mauricio Claver-Carone, the Executive Director of Cuba Democracy Advocates in Washington, D.C., slammed the couple for visiting the communist nation.

"There are women getting beaten on a daily basis, women who are being jailed for no reason ... people are fighting for their freedom," he told TMZ, claiming Beyonce and Jay-Z's failed to educate themselves on Cuba's human rights violations before making the trip. "It's extremely insensitive," he added.

Jay-Z wrote a rap song to respond to criticism called "Open Letter." The new song ridiculed those who criticized the couple for taking the vacation. Jay-Z even directly referenced President Barack Obama, "Obama said, 'Chill, you gonna get me impeached,'" Jay says. "But you don't need this sh-t anyway / Chill with me on the beach."

While Jay-Z stated that Obama was aware of the trip and told Jay-Z his actions were going to get him impeached, that statement seems to be false.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney also backed the president's statement while commenting on "Open Letter."

"I am absolutely saying that the White House, from the president on down, had nothing to do with it," he continued, adding that "the president did not communicate with Jay-Z over the trip."