White House Denies Barack Obama Personally Authorised Jay-Z And Beyonce's Cuba Visit

12 April 2013, 10:32 | Updated: 12 April 2013, 12:55

The 'Empire State Of Mind' rapper has sparked a statement from the White House after his song 'Open Letter'.

The White House has denied claims US President Barack Obama personally approved Jay-Z and Beyonce's trip to Cuba, after a new song from the rapper emerged online yesterday (11th April).

The '99 Problems' star released a song called 'Open Letter' on Thursday following criticism of the couple's visit, which features him rapping the words  "I got White House clearance", leading a journalist to question White House Press Secretary Jay Carney about the claims.

"I guess nothing rhymes with Treasury, because Treasury offers and gives licenses for travel, as you know, and the White House has nothing to do with it," Jay replied, to a question from Politico reporter Donovan Slack. "I am absolutely saying that the White House from the President on down had nothing to do with anybody's travel to Cuba that is something that Treasury handles.

"It's a song, Donovan, the President did not communicate with Jay-Z over this trip," he reiterated.

Check out a picture of Beyonce and Jay-Z in Cuba together this past week below (Credit: PA):

Earlier this month two Congress representatives complained about the couple's visit, with US citizens banned from visiting the country for tourism purposes without the correct licence.

Despite the criticism, the US Treasury has since confirmed Beyonce and Jay-Z did have the right license to travel, as part of a new licensing program to encourage meaningful contacts with the country's people.

Watch Jay Carney dismissing talk of the White House authorising Jay-Z and Beyonce's trip personally below: