Michelle Obama’s decision to skip Donald Trump’s inauguration has further fuelled wild rumours concerning her marriage to former president Barack Obama.
The president-elect will be sworn in to his second term in the White House on Monday, eight years after he first took the oath of office. Carrie Underwood will perform America The Beautiful alongside the Armed Forces Choir and the US Naval Academy Glee Club at the inauguration of Donald Trump.
Outgoing president Joe Biden and Barack Obama will also be in attendance at the event inside the United States Capitol Rotunda. But while Biden will be joined by his wife Jill, Obama will be riding solo as Trump is sworn in for a second time thanks to Michelle deciding to pass on the plus-one offer.
The former first lady’s choice to skip Trump’s inauguration is said to be because she doesn’t want to “plaster” on a smile for a man she believes is a threat to American democracy. However, Michelle’s office haven’t given a reason for the mum-of-two’s absence on Monday – something that has sparked even more rumours Michelle and her husband are heading towards divorce.
An Obama split has been gossiped about for a while – with even Jennifer Aniston being forced to speak out about a rumoured affair with the former president – but speculation has intensified over recent weeks. The couple’s 31-year marriage has been under the spotlight recently amid their absence from key public events.
Michelle passing on the chance to attend Trump’s inauguration – an unusual break from tradition – comes shortly after he notable absence at former president Jimmy Carter’s state funeral. Michelle was in Hawaii as Carter was given a lavish send off, which saw her husband exchange pleasantries with Trump.
As Michelle turned 61 on Friday, Obama took to social media to pay tribute to his wife on her special day. “Happy birthday to the love of my life, @MichelleObama,” the politician penned on Twitter (X). “You fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humour, and grace – and you look good doing it. I’m so lucky to be able to take on life’s adventures with you. Love you!”
Rather than shut down the rumours about a split, Obama’s post sparked even more theories thanks to the accompanying photo shared alongside his words. In the snap posted by the former president, the married couple can be seen holding hands across a large table.
Commenting on the not so cosy romantic dining setting, one Twitter user replied to Obama: “I wish you all the best..but to post a photo where you two are so far apart and kind of fake smiling, might indicate that the divorce rumours are true…does anyone agree?” Another asked: “Are you two separated, her smile looks fake.”
In October last year, actress Jennifer Aniston was forced to deny she was having an affair with Obama – something that reportedly put a strain on Michelle’s marriage. During an appearance on The Jimmy Kimmel show, Jennifer was put on the spot about a headline from InTouch magazine that read: “The truth about Jen and Barack [Obama]!”
The article made claims like: “Michelle [Obama] betrayed as Aniston steals her husband’s attention” Expanding further, the publication suggested: “They’re obsessed with each other! ” and added fuel to the fire with: “Power circles in Washington and Hollywood can’t stop gossiping!”
Dismissing the rumours, the Friends actress responded: “That was… of all the calls you get from your publicist, where you’re just like ‘oh no, what’s it going to be? ‘ or an email saying some cheesy tabloid is going to makeup a story, and then it’s that… I was not mad at it!”
When host Jimmy Kimmel probed for the truth, asking: “Is there any truth to this? ” Jennifer squashed the gossip with a firm: “No, that is absolutely untrue. It is untrue.” Despite Jimmy admitting he knew it wasn’t true, he couldn’t help but ask his guest: “Do you know Barack Obama?”
“I met him once,” Jennifer replied. “I know Michelle more than him.” Taking the conversation lighter, Jimmy quipped: “Is there a truth about you and Michelle that we should know? ” And, with laughter, Jennifer stated: “It’s… That is not true.”
Following Jennifer’s chat show appearance, RadarOnline reported that Michelle felt betrayed by the rumours. The publication quoted an insider claiming: “The Obamas are having a tough time, there’s no doubt about that. The Aniston ‘affair’ attention was unwanted, and Michelle felt let down by it all. But the reality is, they’re more like friends at the moment. The spark has gone, and they’re simply going through the motions.”
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