Louis Farrakhan is the current leader of the Nation of Islam and representative of Elijah Muhammad. A highly controversial figure, Farrakhan has been widely criticized for comments that have been viewed as antisemitic, racist, and homophobic. Farrakhan has adamantly rejected these charges. He argues that his opponents have worked to create a negative, and he contends false, image of him through manipulation of the media. Since experencing serious health problems in 2006, Farrakhan has largely stayed out of the public eye, making few public appearances or statements. However, he recently endorsed Barack Obama in the 2008 Presidential Election. Barack Obama quickly rejected this endorsement.