Ah, nothing says “everything’s totally fine” in a marriage like your husband publicly admitting he’s in a “deep deficit” with you and your podcast tour sounding like a TED Talk on reclaiming your personal freedom. Former First Lady Michelle Obama took to the mic this week to address the swirling divorce rumors, and let’s just say—she didn’t exactly slam the door shut on them.
On Sophia Bush’s Work in Progress podcast, Michelle dove headfirst into her latest personal rebranding tour: strong, independent woman making “big girl decisions.” The subject? Well, not-so-subtly dodging speculation that she and Barack might be headed for splitsville after 32 years. She wants the world to know she’s just finally choosing herself, people! No need to panic… unless you’re the type who sees statements like “Who do I want to have lunch with?” as a flashing red light signaling someone’s mentally halfway to the Amalfi Coast—solo.
Let’s back up for a second. The rumors didn’t come out of thin air. Michelle skipped Jimmy Carter’s funeral—something every other former first lady attended—and also gave President Trump’s second inauguration a hard pass, even though Barry showed up. These weren’t last-minute absences either. These were high-profile no-shows that left more than a few folks scratching their heads. But according to Michelle, her absence wasn’t about marital tension—it was about… making empowered decisions for herself. Got it.
In the podcast, Michelle launched into a monologue about women struggling with guilt, disappointing others, and finally “doing what’s best for me.” Which, let’s be honest, would be a solid answer if the question was about skipping a baby shower or canceling brunch plans—not two of the most significant political ceremonies of the past year. But sure, canceling on a presidential funeral is just a quirky little act of self-care.
She even emphasized how she’s finally getting to look at her calendar and say “yes” to girlfriends and trips—because, apparently, life as a multi-millionaire, post-White House icon hadn’t quite provided her with enough flexibility before now. You almost forget she’s one of the most powerful women in America, given how much she sounds like someone trying to break out of a suburban book club.
MAJOR BREAKING: For the first time, Michelle Obama just SMASHED the right-wing lies that she and Barack Obama are getting a divorce.
Michelle didn’t hold back. Listen below: pic.twitter.com/KkNflagxf0
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) April 9, 2025
And then there’s Barack. While Michelle was musing about how her soul-searching has her asking, “What am I waiting for?”—which sounds suspiciously like someone considering a new lease on life without a spouse—the former president was admitting he’s in the marital doghouse. “I was in a deep deficit with my wife,” he said, and is now apparently trying to make it up to her with “fun things.” You know, like a teenager begging for forgiveness after crashing mom’s car.
Look, if the roles were reversed and Melania Trump went on a podcast talking about how she’s focusing on herself, skipping national events, and “operating from guilt,” the media would’ve had a meltdown and CNN would have rolled out a countdown clock to the divorce filing. But when it’s the Obamas? Oh, it’s just growth. It’s empowerment. It’s Michelle making her own decisions. Very brave.
To be clear, no one’s rooting for a breakup here. But let’s not pretend the smoke isn’t there just because the left doesn’t want to admit there might be a little fire behind the Hope and Change curtains. Michelle and Barack have built a brand on being the perfect political power couple. If that brand starts to crumble—well, cue the think pieces and the NPR specials about “evolving partnerships.”
Until then, brace yourself for more cryptic quotes, spiritual retreats, and podcast monologues about choosing oneself. And maybe, just maybe, a memoir sequel titled Becoming… Single.
