Madonna has defended calling US President Barack Obama a "black Muslim" and confirmed that she was just being "ironic".

The veteran singer spoke out in praise of Obama whilst performing in Washington DC on Monday (September 24), saying: "It is so amazing and incredible to think that we have an African American in the White House."

However, she raised eyebrows when she continued to say: "Y'all better vote for f**king Obama. For better or for worse, alright, we have a 'black Muslim' in the White House, OK?"

Some people believe that Obama, who is a Christian, is secretly a Muslim and Madonna has clarified that she was making fun of the conspiracy theorists and was just being "ironic". She said:

"I was being ironic on stage. Yes, I know Obama is not a Muslim - though I know that plenty of people in this country think he is. And what if he were? The point I was making is that a good man is a good man, no matter who he prays to. I don't care what religion Obama is - nor should anyone else in America."