A playful remark made by former First Lady Michelle Obama during a recent podcast episode has reignited public speculation about the status of her marriage to former President Barack Obama.
Michelle made waves on a new episode of her podcast IMO [In My Opinion] this week, during a lighthearted exchange with her brother, Craig Robinson, and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky.
“You know, I have to say Brian, if I’m a single girl out there and I find out that Brian Chesky is single and I could like stay in his house—” Michelle began before her brother interjected, teasing: “Here she goes, right to the relationship.”
The conversation continued with Chesky joking that the Obamas had previously tried to set him up, to which Michelle replied she was simply “very invested in Brian’s love life.”
While the moment seemed innocuous and comedic, it fanned the flames of persistent online rumors about a possible rift between the Obamas—a narrative fueled by Michelle’s prior comments on the challenges of marriage, as well as her absences from events like Donald Trump’s inauguration and Jimmy Carter’s funeral.
Denials Amid Speculation
Michelle previously addressed the divorce rumors in an episode of Diary of a CEO with entrepreneur Steven Bartlett, where she shot down speculation in her usual candid tone:
“If I were having problems with my husband, everybody would know about it,” she said, pointing to her brother and adding, “Let me tell you, he would know it.”
She even joked that she’d air out marital issues in public:
“I would be problem-solving in public, like, ‘Let me tell you what he did.’”
Robinson joined in, quipping, “If they were having a problem, I’d be doing a podcast with him.”
Tucker Carlson and Conservative Critics Weigh In
Right-wing commentators like Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly seized on Michelle’s past remarks about Barack’s tardiness and his lack of deep conversations with golf buddies as “evidence” of marital tension.
“She really dislikes her husband and it’s super obvious,” Carlson said in a podcast appearance, claiming her tone reflects “hostility.”
Kelly agreed, saying:
“Everything Michelle says about her husband is negative.”
But Michelle has pushed back on these takes, choosing instead to speak openly about the realities of long-term commitment.
“Marriage is hard. But I wouldn’t trade it,” she said. “He’s my person.”
“Couple Goals” Comes With Friction
Michelle emphasized that her transparency is intentional—particularly to correct false expectations among younger generations who see the Obamas as the gold standard of marital perfection.
“People give up too quickly on marriage… because they look at me and Barack and go, ‘#couplegoals.’ And I’m like, it’s hard,” she said.
The Becoming author encouraged couples to normalize therapy, communication, and continual renegotiation of roles within a relationship.
“The beauty of my husband and our partnership is that neither one of us was ever really, ever going to quit at it, because that’s not who we are.”
Whether it’s a viral soundbite or genuine vulnerability, Michelle Obama continues to walk the line between icon and human being—offering both levity and wisdom as she navigates life after the White House.
