Expert says Michelle Obama's body language hints divorce 'was on the table' despite podcast denial
WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Barack Obama joined his wife Michelle Obama on her 'IMO' podcast in a rare joint appearance on Wednesday, July 16, aimed at addressing long-standing divorce rumors that have followed the couple since their White House departure.
The two shared lighthearted banter and directly addressed the speculation, seemingly shutting down the gossip in a warm and playful exchange.
But while the segment drew praise from fans, not everyone was convinced, and a body language expert claims Michelle’s nonverbal cues may suggest the issues run deeper.
Michelle Obama shuts down divorce rumors, but expert says her body language tells a different story
Michelle Obama firmly rejected divorce rumors during the July 16 episode of her 'IMO' podcast, but one expert believes her body said more than her words. The former first lady declared, “There hasn’t been one moment in our marriage where I thought about quitting on my man,” while sitting beside husband Barack Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson.
According to body language analyst Traci Brown, CSP, the phrasing and delivery revealed subtle signals of emotional strain. “She doesn’t say, ‘I always wanted to stay with him,’” Brown told Nicki Swift. “So we know in her mind that leaving him was on the table at least a little bit.”
Brown also pointed out a striking physiological cue. “This topic has her under a bit of threat, as evidenced by her blink rate going very low,” she explained.
Michelle’s eye movements, especially as she closed them while referencing the couple’s “really hard times,” suggested she was holding something back. “There is info she’s keeping in,” Brown concluded.
Barack Obama and Michelle Obama joke about divorce rumors in podcast appearance
The former president appeared on the podcast alongside Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson, in what many viewed as a deliberate effort to address the speculation head-on.
From the outset, the tone was playful. Barack greeted Michelle warmly on set, prompting Robinson to quip, “Wait, you guys like each other?” Barack responded, “She took me back. It was touch and go for a while,” before Michelle quickly warned, “Now don’t start.”
As the banter continued, the Obamas addressed how their physical absence from one another in public settings has fueled rumors. Michelle said, “I know, because when we aren’t [together], folks think we’re divorced.”
Barack admitted he was largely unaware of the online speculation: “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?”
Robinson added his own anecdote, recalling a woman who once asked him at the airport, “What did he do?”, a reference to the persistent belief that Barack must have caused a rift.
The couple’s laughter and camaraderie throughout the episode seemed aimed at deflating those assumptions.
Obamas address weeks of speculation with joint podcast appearance after Michelle’s viral remark
This latest episode follows weeks of online scrutiny over the Obamas’ relationship, particularly after Michelle made a viral comment in June suggesting she was relieved not to have a son, joking, “He would’ve been a Barack Obama."
Her absence from key public appearances, including Donald Trump’s inauguration and former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, has only intensified chatter. By appearing together in a relaxed, conversational setting, the Obamas attempted to reclaim control of the narrative.
