Aretha: R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Obama knows what it means to me

Soul legend Aretha Franklin is giving President Obama a pass for botching the spelling of her signature song.

Obama generated headlines and raised eyebrows last week when he flubbed the spelling of “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” — dropping the first “E” — during an event at the White House.

{mosads}But in a statement obtained by The Associated Press, Franklin said she was sure the president knew how to spell her anthem.

“I’m sure the President had much on his agenda and was just a little tired,” she said, adding that she was not offended.

“Spelling and giving it, is a huge difference,” Franklin said. “The President and I are mutual when it comes to R-E-S-P-E-C-T.”

During the “Women of Soul” event, Obama heralded Franklin’s song as “a rallying cry for African-Americans, and women, and then everyone who felt marginalized because of what they looked like or who they loved.”

The event also featured performances by Melissa Etheridge, Ariana Grande, Patti LaBelle and Janelle Monáe. It will air next month on PBS.