Barack and Michelle Obama made light of the viral divorce rumors about their marriage on Michelle’s podcast on Wednesday, with the former president joking that his wife had ‘taken him back’ after a touch-and-go period. ‘She took me back!’ Barack said, laughing as he joined the show hosted by his wife and her brother, Craig Robinson. ‘It was touch and go for a while.’
Michelle Obama’s absence from various public events, including President Donald Trump’s inauguration and Jimmy Carter’s funeral, had sparked widespread speculation about the couple’s marital status. Though Michelle had previously addressed these rumors in interviews, this was the first time the couple had openly discussed the issue together. Michelle opened the podcast by teasing that the public might think they were divorced when they were not in the same room. ‘It’s my husband, ya’ll!’ she said, adding humor to the situation.
The rumors had grown so pervasive that even Craig Robinson, Michelle’s brother, shared a story about someone asking him in Kansas, ‘What did he do?’, implying that Barack had done something to alienate his wife. Robinson said the woman was delighted to learn that there was nothing to the story. Meanwhile, Barack admitted he was unaware of the rumors because he had been out of touch with online chatter. ‘There hasn’t been one moment in our marriage where I’ve thought about quitting my man,’ Michelle said, emphasizing her enduring affection for her husband.
Michelle also shared her perspective on the societal pressures that women often face, particularly when making independent decisions. She discussed how her choices, such as declining to attend the inauguration, were sometimes misinterpreted as signs of marital strife rather than personal choices. ‘People couldn’t believe that I was saying no for any other reason that they had to assume that my marriage was falling apart,’ she said, addressing the broader issue of how women’s decisions are often scrutinized. Both Obama and Robinson used the forum to highlight their enduring bond and shared sense of humor, reaffirming that their marriage had weathered all challenges.
The couple’s ability to address the rumors with humor and transparency not only defused the tension but also reinforced their deep relationship. Their lighthearted approach underscored a partnership built on mutual support, resilience, and a willingness to engage with public scrutiny in a way that prioritized connection over controversy.