A viral rumor that Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, was expelled from Harvard University for drug use has once again resurfaced online.
But media experts are calling it what it has always been: completely false.
The story originally began circulating back in 2017, originating from a satirical website called The Last Line of Defense. The site falsely claimed that Malia had been kicked out of Harvard for allegedly smoking marijuana, twerking on campus, and being a so-called “party girl.”
At the time, Malia hadn’t even started her classes.
A Fiction That Went Viral
Despite the site’s reputation for satire, the story was widely shared on right-wing social media and forums. It became a case study in how misinformation and digital defamation can distort public perception, even when involving young private citizens from political families.
The incident underscores the broader issue of fake news masquerading as journalism, particularly when weaponized for political or racial bias. Experts note that while satire is protected speech, many sites blur the line and intentionally mislead readers, leaving public figures vulnerable to reputational harm.
The Truth: Graduation, Awards, and a Hollywood Breakthrough
In reality, Malia Obama enrolled at Harvard in 2017 and graduated in 2021 with honors. She even received the Thomas Hoopes Prize, one of the university’s top awards recognizing outstanding scholarly work.
After Harvard, Malia began carving out a name in Hollywood under the professional name Malia Ann. She interned on HBO’s Girls and wrote for Donald Glover’s critically acclaimed series Swarm. In 2024, she debuted as a director at the Sundance Film Festival with her short film The Heart, receiving praise for both its depth and originality.
Life in the Spotlight—and Beyond It
The false expulsion rumor isn’t the only media frenzy Malia has had to endure. She’s been scrutinized for everything from her fashion choices to being caught on camera at Lollapalooza as a teenager. Yet, she has stayed relatively low-key, choosing a path focused on creativity and substance over celebrity and scandal.
Former President Obama even jokingly recounted how emotional the family was when dropping her off at Harvard.
“Michelle had like a cleaning glove, she’s scouring the bathroom… and I was basically useless,” he told David Letterman. It was a relatable moment that reminded the public Malia, like many college students, was simply starting her journey.
Legal Takeaway: Satire vs. Defamation
The Malia Obama rumor highlights the legal gray zone between satire and defamation.
While parody enjoys First Amendment protections, experts explain that when false information is shared as truth, it can lead to serious reputational damage, especially when minors or young adults are involved.
Legal scholars continue to call for greater media literacy and algorithmic responsibility from platforms that allow such content to go viral without context or disclaimers.
