Michelle Obama says she avoids reading social media comments to stay ‘sane’ amid split rumors with Barack

Michelle Obama has faced a lot of rumors and gossip during her time as first lady and beyond, and she opened up about how she deals with all this
UPDATED MAR 16, 2025
Michelle Obama revealed how she and husband Barack Obama avoid all the 'negative energy flipping our way' (Jean Catuffe/GC Images)
Michelle Obama revealed how she and husband Barack Obama avoid all the 'negative energy flipping our way' (Jean Catuffe/GC Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Michelle Obama isn’t wasting time on gossip, especially when it comes to her marriage to Barack Obama.

During a live taping of her new podcast, 'IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson', the former first lady addressed the constant scrutiny surrounding her relationship, making it clear she doesn’t let online speculations get to her, reported People.


 
 
 
 
 
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Michelle Obama spills the beans on how she avoids negative energy

“People always ask me and Barack, how did we stay hopeful in, not just the eight years that we were in the White House, but beyond?” Michelle Obama said.

“There was a lot of negative energy flipping our way - a lot of rumors, a lot of gossip, a lot of, you know, my husband wasn’t born in this country, we weren’t patriotic, he didn’t get into Harvard but through it all, what kept us sane and we tried to instill this in our daughters is, you cannot live through social media," she continued.

Barack Obama (L) greets former first lady Michelle Obama as he arrives to speak on stage during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are gathering in Chicago, as current Vice President Kamala Harris is named her party's presidential nominee. The DNC takes place from August 19-22. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Barack Obama greets former first lady Michelle Obama as he arrives to speak on stage during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“I’ve never once looked at a comment section,” she admitted adding, “Don’t let that negative energy enter into your space. These are people who don’t know you. A lot of this stuff is made up, and it does not feed you. That doesn’t mean you don’t stay informed, but staying informed has nothing to do with the comment section. It has everything to do with the content of the stories that you take in.”

The conversation took on an even sharper edge amid recent whispers of tension between the Obamas. Michelle’s absence from key public events including Jimmy Carter’s funeral sparked speculation that their marriage was on the rocks.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 13: Michelle Obama speaks onstage during a recording of the
Michelle Obama speaks onstage during a recording of the 'IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson' podcast during the 2025 SXSW Conference and Festival at Austin Convention Center on March 13, 2025, in Austin, Texas (Julia Beverly/WireImage)

While she didn’t address those rumors directly, she made it clear she believes people are “so trapped by social media that we feel so caught up into the one way we get information. We’ve got to broaden our spectrum, and we have to get off the phone.”

Michelle Obama reveals one habit of Barack Obama that annoys her



 

Former first lady Michelle Obama recently opened up about a long-standing pet peeve in her marriage with former president Barack Obama - his tendency to run late.

On the premiere episode of 'IMO' with her brother Craig Robinson, Michelle humorously recalled how Barack’s relaxed approach to timekeeping had been an adjustment for her throughout their 32-year marriage.

"Barack, you know, he had to adjust to what on-time was for me," she said, noting how her husband often delays departures.

Her brother chimed in, attributing Barack’s habit to his Hawaiian roots, joking, "He was on that island time."

Michelle elaborated on her frustration, sharing a specific example, "When it’s time to leave, it’s 3 o’clock, he's getting up and going to the bathroom. And I was like, dude, dude… 3 o’clock departure means you’ve done all that. Don’t start looking for your glasses at 3 o’clock."

She did acknowledge that Barack has improved over the years, saying, "He’s improved over 30 years of marriage, but that was a ‘you must adjust'."

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