
Barack and Michelle Obama finally address divorce speculation in astonishing joint sit-down
The former President of the United States, 63, was a guest on his wife's podcast IMO, which she co-hosts with her brother Craig Robinson, with the pair wasting no time in addressing the rumors of their separation.
'What, you guys like each other?' Robinson joked, before Michelle replied: 'Oh yeah, the rumor mill.'
'She took me back!' Obama light-heartedly chimed in, adding: 'It was touch and go for awhile.'
The former first lady added that it is nice to be in the same room as her husband, sassily telling her brother: 'When we aren't, folks think we're divorced.'
Michelle then made a heartfelt admission about her relationship with her husband of almost 33 years.
'There hasn't been one moment in our marriage where I thought about quitting my man,' she said passionately.
She continued: 'And we've had some really hard times. So we 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.'
Robinson admitted he had been asked about his sister's marriage, recalling an interaction with a fan who asked for a photo in Wichita, Kansas.
'This woman came up to me and she was so nice, she's like, can I have a picture?' he recalled.
'You know how you get the side hug, and she's like "what did he do?"' he told the couple, with Robinson jokingly replying: 'What make you think he messed up?'
Obama admitted he misses a lot of the speculation, and he was largely unaware of what people were saying.
'These are the kinds of things that I just miss, right? So I don't even know this stuff's going on. And then somebody will mention it to me and I'm all like, "what are you talking about?"' he said incredulously.
The Obamas have been married for almost 33 years but have faced ongoing rumors about their marriage status over the last few months.
The rumor mill swirled after her decision to skip both Jimmy Carter's funeral and President Donald Trump's inauguration - with Michelle insisting they were decisions she made for herself.
Her absence at the high-profile political events stoked divorce rumors, as did President Obama's admission in April that he was in a 'deep deficit' with his wife.
They share daughters, Malia, 26, and Sasha, 24.
Last week, Obama made a frank admission about life at home with husband after spending months dodging divorce rumors.
The mom-of-two shared the insight about being an empty nester with a husband who is no longer serving as the President of the United States on Wednesday's episode of her podcast, IMO, which she hosts with older brother Craig Robinson.
'I mean at this stage in life for me, personally, is the first time I've been completely free,' the mother-of-two told guest Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
'There's been a release where every choice I make is not about my husband, not about his career, not about my family, not about what my kids need or where they're going, it's totally about me,' she admitted, quipping: 'This is when we start living ladies.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Dems unveil new podcaster they hope will become left-wing Joe Rogan
Democrat supporters have unveiled a new podcaster they hope will become the left-wing Joe Rogan: the party's former chair, Jaime Harrison. At Our Table, which launched on Thursday, is described on its website as a space for 'honest, unfiltered conversations about our nation's challenges and hopes'. Harrison speaks with guests at his South Carolina home, including failed VP hopeful Tim Walz, and Hunter Biden, the disgraced son of former president Joe Biden. The former DNC chair told Semafor he hopes the podcast will provide a political education ahead of the 2028 presidential primary. 'Civic education in America is at an all-time low,' said Harrison, 49. 'It's really important to start educating people about these processes that are so important in terms of determining who our leaders will be.' Harrison said he also envisages At Our Table as a platform for Democrats to open up in the same way Donald Trump did for hours on air with Joe Rogan before he was elected for a second term in the White House. The Joe Rogan Experience is one of the most popular podcasts of all time, with 14.5 million followers by the end of 2024. Trump's approval rating surged as he appeared on mainstream social media channels like Rogan's ahead of the presidential election. Harrison told Semafor he had been mulling over launching a podcast 'for a while', and his first guests also include Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn. He said the Democratic Party had toyed with launching a YouTube channel called DTV, which he would anchor, but decided they didn't have the resources. The former politician said though, that after seeing increasing numbers of Americans 'getting their news from social media channels', he felt a left-leaning podcast was 'needed'. Harrison also outlined why he decided to interview Hunter Biden, who has been found guilty of illegally owning a gun while using drugs and filing his taxes late in recent years. 'In many ways, I think Hunter Biden has become a caricature in politics,' the podcast host told Semafor. 'A lot of people don't know how smart he is, don't know his background, don't know the stuff that he's worked on. 'They only know what either his allies or his enemies have put out there, and he's been defined by that. 'I thought it would be really interesting to pull back the curtain so that people got a chance to understand who he is, and for him to get an opportunity to talk about some of the things that maybe he's only been able to talk to his family members about. Harrison said he hopes the podcast will become a platform for Democrats to open up in the same way Donald Trump did for hours on air with Joe Rogan before he was elected in 2024. 'We Democrats put ourselves in straitjackets, and we sanitize every damn thing that comes out of our mouths,' the podcast host said. 'So what does come out comes out without any soul. Republicans understand the power of emotion. It could be fear or it could be joy, but it's emotion, and they use it.' Harrison added that by contrast to Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz were 'muzzled' by their press teams and did not do enough interviews.


Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Freddy Brazier SPLITS from girlfriend amid bitter bust-ups over their shared dog and money in latest incident likely to alarm his father Jeff
Jade Goody 's son Freddy Brazier has split from his girlfriend Holly Swinburn following a furious bust-up, in the latest incident likely to alarm frustrated dad Jeff Brazier. Freddy, 20, who appeared alongside his famous father in 2024's Celebrity Race Across the World, had been living with glamorous Holly at her east London home, with the pair recently buying a pet dog together - an illegal Pocket Bully named Pablo. The couple even launched an Instagram profile for the puppy, where they listed themselves as parents in the bio. It was only last week that Freddy gushed over his romance with Holly, 21, sharing a black and white snap of the pair together on social media alongside the caption: 'Couldn't think of a caption, but the photos say it all. Life is good.' MailOnline understands the young couple, who got together following Freddy's breakup from OnlyFans model Tasha Newcombe, 22, had recently enjoyed a holiday together, further cementing their growing feelings for each other. But now sources say a bitter fallout over their dog and money has seen Freddy, whose mother is late reality star Jade Goody, move out of her home with the duo now wrapped in a bitter dispute. A source explained: 'Things got very intense very quickly and Freddy had been living with Holly and they had holidayed together, making plans for their future, but it has turned ugly pretty fast. 'There has been an almighty fall out and neither party believes they're in the wrong - it has become the latest saga in Freddy's life following a series of setbacks. 'No doubt their sudden and dramatic breakup is something else that will really concern Jeff. Nothing seems simple at the moment.' The couple's relationship was on the rocks earlier this month after Freddy, whose older brother is EastEnders actor and former Strictly star Bobby, confessed to upsetting Holly by staying out until the 'early hours with the boys', leaving her and their dog at home. Freddy shared his experience with Holly online, saying he had learned a valuable lesson and hoped to move forward from the 'miscommunication' in their romance. The model has recently been struggling with a number of relationships in his life including with his TV presenter father Jeff and brother Bobby. Freddy and Jeff have suffered a fiery relationship in recent months, amid his father's legal bid to block him from continuing to see his grandmother, Jade's mother Jackiey Budden - accusing her of allowing her grandson to smoke cannabis at her home. Jeff has long insisted she is a bad influence on the troubled youngster - with the pair enduring a series of very public disputes over the years. MailOnline has contacted Freddy and Holly for comment. But last month The Mail On Sunday revealed that Freddie was again spending time at Jackiey's Bermondsey flat despite his father filing court paperwork in an effort to keep his son away. Family friends say the duo remain 'extremely close,' explaining: 'Jeff was never going to keep Freddy away from his Nanny for very long - they've always had a strong bond, Jeff may hate her for all sorts of reasons going back many years, but Freddy loves her very much. 'They had a great time together, playing with her dog and catching up at her flat - where he has often stayed over the years. Whatever Jeff hoped to achieve with his legal efforts, it hasn't worked.' In June, Freddy announced on Instagram that he was going to a rehabilitation centre in Spain, admitting he had been addicted to smoking since he was 12 and was keen to seek treatment. He said: 'I've been smoking from the age of 12 and it's time to stop it was a bad coping mechanism that turned into an addiction something I relied on and something that made me feel sane and somewhat okay.' But days after the admission, Freddy posted again online saying he had changed his mind, writing: 'You know what I don't need rehab. I just need a holiday with a good group of boys or a retreat.' Freddy lost his mother, former Big Brother star Jade, to cervical cancer in 2009 when he was just four years old. During his appearance on BBC's Celebrity Race Across the World, Bobby spoke on the grief he has suffered following his mother's tragic passing. He said: 'I don't really remember being held by my mum… if I had more memories with her, it would have made it a whole lot harder for me, but I think I would rather that than not remembering the things I had done with my mum.'


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Vanessa Feltz takes subtle swipe at ex Ben Ofoedu after his wedding – live on C5 show
VANESSA Feltz appeared to take a subtle swipe at ex fiance Ben Ofoedu after his marriage this week during a live chat on her Channel 5 show. Phats & Small singer Ben, best known for his biggest hit Turn Around, said I Do with new wife Vanessa Brown on Wednesday - five months after proposing on Valentine's Day in New York. 7 7 7 7 Ben, 53, called time on his engagement with Vanessa, 63, in 2023 after 16 years together, was dating his now-wife just weeks before he popped the question. He appeared to take his own dig at former fiance Vanessa following the special occasion in a stunning Cumbria castle, telling how his nuptials were 'a new beginning' and added: "I wasted 17 years of my life." Now broadcasting legend Vanessa appears to have hit back. Speaking on her daytime talk show Vanessa, she nattered to Carrie and David Grant, former Strictly star James Jordan and her daughter, Saskia Joss. In the discussion about working with their respective spouses, James said of teaming up with fellow professional dancer Ola "for us its always worked." After Carrie and Saskia gushed about their working dynamics, Vanessa quipped: "And I'm sitting here single, single and all alone." She then moved on and said: "Alright let's get straight into our first topic." It came a day after she was spotted all smiles as she partied with pal Myleene Klass following her MBE accolade, just hours after Ben's ceremony. BEN'S CATTY SWIPE While the pair were partying, Ben took a catty swipe at his ex as he said I Do. Inside Ben Ofoedu and fiance Vanessa's 'no expense spared' three-day wedding with HUGE boyband star best man and luxury fairground as they set date for nuptials New husband Ben then told MailOnline: "I have always wanted to be married since I was seven years old. I always wanted to be with someone who would take my surname. "I almost gave up on marriage, thinking there wasn't a lady that would walk down the aisle for me. "I can't believe the day has come, it is a dream come true. It feels like I've been waiting for this moment all my life. "This is the finale of the chapter that was 17 years of my life." Vanessa Feltz and Ben Ofoedu relationship timeline 2005 The couple meet at a Christmas party after being introduced by mutual friend Keith Duffy. Ben tells OK! years later: 'My first impression of you Feltzy was cheeky, very very cheeky and very very quick-witted." 2016 The pair get engaged in December in Ireland after a whirlwind romance. Ben pulls out all the stops, covering their hotel bed in red roses. 2020 Ben teases on Loose Women that a ceremony is imminent. He says: "I think we'll be making an announcement very, very soon. 2022 The stance changes significantly. Vanessa tells OK!: "I do think 'never say never', but I certainly haven't made any plans for a wedding and I think we're quite happy this way." 2023 Shocked Vanessa announces the relationship is over, heartbroken by Ben's infidelity. An insider also told The Sun: 'Ben's never been happier. He's always wanted to get married and knew Vanessa was the one instantly." Back in April, Ben revealed no expense was going to be spared in order to make it the perfect day. He told us: "There's a three-day wedding celebration. We've got a summer soiree the night before, a barbecue, then the whole day of celebrations the day after and then a farewell brunch. "So it'll be jam-packed." FELTZ'S PAIN TV star Vanessa dumped her fiancé Ben two years ago after suspicions that he had cheated on her with several women. The This Morning segment presenter spoke of her 'shock' and 'heartbreak' over the singer's suspected infidelity at the time. Amid a string of allegations that Ben cheated with a number of women, Vanessa was horrified to discover his 'double life'. It was understood she discovered a trail of emails and social media messages that led her to uncover the infidelity. She told fans of her TalkTV drive time show that despite the "sadness" and "shock", she wouldn't let it get her down. Vanessa said: "People who have been reading about my private life over the weekend will know that my 16-year relationship has come to an end. "I have said, I'm very sad. I'm very shocked, but I am going to soldier forth. I hope to rise like a phoenix from the ashes and all of that." The TV presenter revealed a dramatic two stone weight loss after the painful break-up. 7 7