Meghan McCain, political commentator and daughter of the late Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona, said on a recent episode of her podcast that “divorce rumors” about former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama are coming from “reputable people.”
Newsweek has filed out an online form for comment with the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama on Friday.
Why It Matters
McCain has criticized Barack Obama’s policies in the past but has also spoken positively about Democratic power couple. In 2008, her father unsuccessfully ran against Barack Obama in the presidential election, but McCain and Obama maintained a cordial, respectful relationship.
The rumors have circulated as Michelle Obama has been absent from recent public appearances.
(L): Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama appear on stage in between their addresses on the second night of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Ill., on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. (R): Meghan McCain attends the Time100 Gala, celebrating the 100 most influential people in the world, at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in New York.
Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images/ Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
What To Know
On a January 22 episode of her podcast Citizen McCain, McCain told Puck journalist Tara Palmeri, “I have been hearing this rumor that the Obamas are getting a divorced by reputable people…very serious journalists telling me that they’re hearing that the Obama divorce rumors are true.”
There is no confirmed evidence of these rumors or statement from the Obamas on the matter. Michelle Obama’s office confirmed ahead of President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday that she would not be in attendance of the political event, although Barack Obama attended.
Palmeri, who is a senior political correspondent for Puck, replied: “I’ve certainly heard it for a while even before Michelle said she wasn’t coming to the inauguration, which also could be interpreted as another active resistance.” She added that “I’ve just heard that they live separate lives,” in reference to the Obamas.
McCain responded that: “if they break up it is going to be another—like a metaphorical last arrow in the heart of the democratic brand, and I think it is already a brand that has so many problems right now and the party is such a festering carcass like I think it will symbolize just the absolute ending of an era for that party.”
In addition to Trump’s inauguration, Michelle Obama did not attend the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter this month. Barack Obama attended both events alone, sparking some speculation about the status of the couple’s marriage.
McCain has previously called out Obama for his policies and how they have led, in her view, to the era of Trump. She has also commended his positive remarks about her father.
McCain, a former co-host of The View, now hosts her own podcast and has a substantial online presence, with more than 821,000 followers on X, formerly known as Twitter.
What People Are Saying
Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly said on her show: “I do not know whether this is true [Obama divorce rumors], but if it is, it truly would be a political earthquake in democrat circles, never mind America… I don’t remember a presidential divorce in modern history.”
Barack Obama wrote in a January 17 post on X, which included a photo of the couple: “Happy birthday to the love of my life, @MichelleObama. You fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humor, 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!”
Michelle Obama reposted the message on the same day and wrote: “Love you, honey!”
What Happens Next
There is no confirmation about the divorce rumors, and it’s unclear whether the Obamas will comment on the speculation. President Donald Trump and former President Ronald Reagan are the only U.S. presidents to have ever been divorced.
