Obama quips on divorce speculations: 'There were moments it seemed uncertain'
In a recent episode of Michelle Obama's podcast "IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson", the former First Lady and her husband, Barack Obama, humorously addressed the persistent divorce rumours that have circulated in recent months. The speculation arose primarily due to Michelle's absence from high-profile public events over the past year, such as the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and President Donald Trump's second inauguration, which Barack attended alone.
During the podcast, Barack Obama joked about taking another chance with Michelle, admitting that their marriage had been on the brink at one point. Michelle, in her usual candid manner, emphasised their strong bond, stating that there hasn't been a moment in their marriage where she thought about quitting her man. She acknowledged both the hard times and joyful moments in their decades-long marriage.
Craig Robinson, Michelle's brother, recounted a story about a stranger at an airport asking about their marriage. The rumours had gotten so widespread that even those close to the Obamas were affected. Barack expressed his confusion about the rumours, saying, "These are the kinds of things that I just miss. So I don't even know this stuff's going on and then somebody will mention it to me and I'm like what are you talking about?"
The Obamas have been married since 1992 and are proud parents to their two daughters, Malia and Sasha. In the podcast, Barack Obama also discussed the political shift seen with young men, particularly during the 2024 presidential election. He believes that some broad political trends, including those seen not just in the U.S. but around the world, are due to boys and men not feeling respected. He emphasised the importance of investing in boys as well as girls to ensure a level playing field.
Barack Obama also expressed concerns about raising a son without a father figure and warned about the impact of not focusing on nurturing young men. He believes that not focusing on boys can hurt women and lead to unhealthy political trends. Trump made inroads during the 2024 presidential election with appeals to younger men, which Obama believes is a result of this lack of focus and respect.
In the podcast, the Obamas also discussed their parenting styles and Barack admitted that he might have been more judgmental and harder towards a son. He believes that he might have been too strict at times, but he and Michelle are committed to raising their daughters to be strong, independent women.
In summary, the Obamas have addressed the divorce rumours by openly laughing them off and attributing the speculation to misinformation linked to Michelle's selective public appearances. They firmly affirmed their ongoing strong marriage on the "IMO" podcast, providing a glimpse into their personal lives and their continued commitment to each other and their family.
[1] ABC News. (2021, March 18). Barack and Michelle Obama address divorce rumors on Michelle Obama's podcast. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/barack-michelle-obama-address-divorce-rumors-michelle-obamas/story?id=77315235
[2] The Hill. (2021, March 18). Barack and Michelle Obama address divorce rumors on Michelle Obama's podcast. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/homenews/media/547306-barack-and-michelle-obama-address-divorce-rumors-on-michelle-obamas-podcast
- The widespread rumors about Michelle and Barack Obama's divorce have even reached innocent bystanders, such as a stranger at an airport who asked about their marriage.
- Alongside their discussion about political trends, Barack Obama addressed the impact of societal changes manifested in social-media, where misinformation can spread quickly and impact celebrities' personal lives, like the persistent divorce rumors regarding himself and Michelle.
