‘It was touch and go’: Barack Obama confronts divorce speculation with Michelle and breaks his silence on key details

Former U.S. President Barack Obama joined his wife Michelle Obama on her IMO podcast Wednesday, where the couple openly discussed and dismissed ongoing rumors about their marriage.

According to Page Six, the episode began with Michelle Obama teasing a “very, very, very special guest” before Barack Obama made his appearance. Michelle’s brother, Craig Robinson, who was also present, jokingly asked if the couple actually liked each other.

“She took me back! It was touch and go for a while,” Barack Obama joked in response to the divorce rumors. The former first lady quickly warned her husband not to “start” with the jokes, though she agreed with her brother that it was nice to be in the same room together.

A couple explains why they are sometimes apart and confirms their strong marriage

Michelle Obama took a serious moment to address the speculation, stating clearly that there hasn’t been a single moment in their marriage where she considered leaving her husband. She praised their relationship, mentioning both the difficult times and fun adventures they’ve shared, and how being married to Barack has made her a better person.

The divorce rumors gained traction earlier this year when Barack Obama attended several public events alone, including former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, where Michelle Obama was notably absent and President Trump’s inauguration, without Michelle by his side. However, the couple has continued to show their unity through social media, sharing loving messages on birthdays and holidays.

Craig Robinson shared that the rumors have become so widespread that strangers now approach him in public to ask about his sister’s marriage. He described one particular interaction where a woman taking a photo with him questioned what Barack “did wrong,” assuming there must be trouble in the marriage.

Barack Obama appeared surprised by the extent of these rumors, saying he often doesn’t know about them until someone mentions them to him. The couple, who have been married since October 1992 and continue to work together on projects like their Higher Ground Productions Netflix collaborations, are parents to Malia, 27, and Sasha, 24. Michelle also praised Barack during the podcast for being an engaged father to their daughters.