Rumors about a potential divorce between former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have been reignited, fueled by commentary from political personalities Meghan McCain and Megyn Kelly. The speculation, which has been circulating for weeks, centers on Michelle's recent absence from major public events and perceived subtleties in Barack's social media posts.
On her podcast Citizen McCain, Meghan McCain claimed the rumors originated from "reputable people." Speaking with journalist Tara Palmeri, McCain said, "I have been hearing this rumor that the Obamas are getting a divorce by reputable people... very serious journalists telling me that they're hearing that the Obama divorce rumors are true."
This follows Michelle Obama's absence from high-profile events such as former President Jimmy Carter's funeral and Donald Trump's upcoming inauguration ceremony, both of which Barack attended alone. McCain suggested that if the Obamas were to separate, it could signal the "absolute ending of an era" for the Democratic Party.
Tara Palmeri added fuel to the speculation by saying, "I've just heard that they live separate lives." She also noted that Michelle's absence from Trump's inauguration could be seen as an "act of resistance."
Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly echoed these sentiments on The Megyn Kelly Show, calling the rumors potentially a "political earthquake." Kelly said, "I don't remember a presidential divorce in modern history. If true, it would shake Democratic circles, never mind America."
Kelly also critiqued Barack's recent birthday post for Michelle on social media, where he referred to her as "the love of my life." While the post appeared affectionate, Kelly and others noted that the accompanying photo-showing the couple seated far apart-was "unflattering" and lacked intimacy. Kelly commented, Michelle "can look very nice in a photograph, but that image didn't do her justice."
Further adding to the intrigue is Jennifer Aniston's unexpected involvement in the narrative. Rumors of a romance between Aniston and Obama resurfaced from tabloid reports, which the actress dismissed as "absolutely untrue" during a past interview. "I've met him once," Aniston said, clarifying that she knows Michelle better than Barack.
Despite the swirling rumors, Barack and Michelle have publicly maintained a united front. On Michelle's birthday, she reposted Barack's message, writing, "Love you, honey!" However, skeptics on social media questioned the sincerity of their interactions, with one user describing the photo as "the coldest, least romantic photo I've ever seen online."
The couple, who married in 1992, have previously been candid about the challenges in their relationship. Michelle has spoken openly about the "resentment" she felt when her career took a backseat to Barack's political ambitions. In her memoir, Becoming, she described the immense pressure their family faced during Barack's presidency.
Barack, in turn, has emphasized their mutual respect, stating in a previous interview, "Even when things were tough, we never lost basic respect for each other." He dismissed any notions of divorce, explaining that despite disagreements, "Michelle is a remarkable woman. Even if she drives me crazy sometimes, I never thought there was anybody I would rather be with."
The rumors have sparked debate on whether political motivations are behind the speculation. Kelly and her guests theorized that the Biden administration or political opponents could be planting the rumors to weaken Barack's influence.
For now, there has been no official response from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama regarding the rumors.
