Former United States President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, have addressed rumours surrounding their marriage during a recent episode of their family podcast, IMO.
The episode, which aired on Wednesday, featured Michelle introducing her husband as a “very, very, very special guest.” Her brother and co-host, Craig Robinson, reacted with a joke: “Wait, you guys like each other?”
During their conversation on the podcast, the couple dismissed recent speculation that they were no longer together, with both of them joking about the false rumours. Michelle said people often assume the worst when they are not seen together in public.
“She took me back,” Barack added playfully. “It was touch and go for a while.”
The Obamas, who got married in 1992, have been at the centre of online rumours, especially after Michelle missed the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and the second inauguration of Donald Trump earlier in the year.
However, she explained that her absence from the events was a personal decision, guided by therapy and her choice to set boundaries, and had nothing to do with any marital issues.
“There hasn’t been one moment in our marriage where I thought about quittin’ my man. And we’ve had some really hard times,” Michelle said. “We have had a lot of fun times, a lot of adventures and I have become a better person because of the man I’m married to.”
Barack responded, “OK, don’t make me cry now.”
The IMO podcast, hosted by Michelle and Craig, focuses on their childhood experiences in Chicago, life after politics, and how to navigate family, identity, and societal issues in today’s world.
