Body language expert claims Barack and Michelle Obama showed 'no signs of togetherness' on last outing
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS: Speculation is rife about what's happening in Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s marriage. From their last public outing to Michelle’s noticeable absences at major events, people can’t stop wondering: are the Obamas headed for a split?
Now, a body language expert has weighed in claiming there were “no active signs of togetherness” during the couple’s most recent public date night.
Michelle Obama's absences speak volumes
Rumors of trouble started swirling when Michelle Obama, 60, decided to skip Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on Monday, January 20. While her absence may not be a big deal, paired with her no-show at former president Jimmy Carter’s funeral earlier this month (due to a “scheduling conflict”), it has left people scratching their heads.
The last time anyone saw the Obamas together was over a month ago, in mid-December, when they had an intimate dinner at the celeb-favorite Los Angeles spot, Mother Wolf. And even then, their body language wasn’t exactly screaming love.
UK-based body language expert Judi James didn’t mince words when analyzing their dinner date for the Daily Mail. According to her, Barack Obama, 63, looked “rather somber” during the outing and was walking behind Michelle instead of by her side.
“There’s no sign of any chatting or coupling up between them,” James pointed out, noting the stark contrast between Michelle’s wide smile and Obama’s serious demeanor as they left the restaurant.
Photos from that night show Michelle beaming at the cameras while Obama trailed behind with a look that could only be described as dour.
"[Obama] looks rather somber here but otherwise relaxed as he walks behind his wife, who sports the kind of wide, beaming smile with downward-pointing eye-gaze that suggests a coy kind of happiness," Judi said. "Sitting together in the car they both stare ahead in the photo but this is a common celebrity response if the paparazzi are lighting up the sky outside."
Still, she didn’t ignore the lack of interaction. “Michelle looks relaxed and happy walking to the car, but there are no active signals of togetherness for the cameras, with Barack himself wearing a more serious or dour expression as he walks behind his wife," Judi explained.
Meanwhile, a source spilled to Page Six that Michelle’s decision to skip Trump’s inauguration was less about scheduling and more about staying true to herself.
“She’s never been fake and she’s never been phony,” the insider shared. "She's always been very deliberate about where and how she shows up. She showed up reluctantly for the election. They were united, but she doesn't have to unify around [Trump]. She doesn't have to say anything. Her absence speaks volumes."
A history of marital struggles
The Obamas have been candid in the past about their ups and downs, so the idea of tension in their marriage isn’t entirely shocking. Michelle has openly talked about the resentment she felt during their early years of parenting, especially when her career took a backseat while Obama’s thrived.
“I would not trade [my daughters] in, but whew, they can mess up a marriage,” she joked during 'The Michelle Obama Podcast' in 2020.
Michelle admitted she was doing most of the heavy lifting with their daughters, Malia and Sasha, while Obama seemed to breeze through life. “I had to be there [taking care of the kids], and my husband was still sort of boppin’ around, living his life,” she said.
"The resentment starts to build up, or it started to. It’s like, well, what happened to the unit, what happened to my best friend?" she continued. "What happened to my buddy, who’s at the gym? It’s like, how the hell are you at the gym? You know, dude … I’ve got cabbage on my breast."
Things didn’t get easier during their time in the White House. The intense scrutiny and pressure to “get everything right” only added to the strain. Obama was often focused on his career while Michelle felt the weight of keeping their family together.
Despite it all, Obama has insisted that divorce was never on the table. “We were pretty good even when things were tough,” he told 'The Breakfast Club'. “We never lost basic respect for the other person. We never thought that person was a bad person. We never said things that would make it seem that you completely disrespect me."
"It was more, 'I love you, Barack, but this is driving me crazy,' or, 'I respect you, but...' I think that's what kept us 'cause we never doubted each other's intentions. Michelle is a remarkable woman. Even if she drives me crazy sometimes, I never thought that there was anybody who I would rather be with," Obama added, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
