There’s a baseless rumor circulating that former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are headed for divorce due to an alleged affair with Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston. The rumor gained traction recently after Puck senior political correspondent Tara Palmeri and Meghan McCain co-signed the claim.
The original source of the rumor dates back to a summer InTouch cover story, based on a subscriber-only episode of the podcast “Who? Weekly.” The hosts described a rumor claiming the Obamas were living separate lives, and Barack was dating Aniston. The hosts did not provide any sources, but did link to a 2014 satirical essay by the Economist that imagined a hypothetical version of American politics with the premise that the US shared the French attitude towards scandal. This essay did not contain any factual reporting about a relationship between Obama and Aniston.
The rumor resurfaced last month, allegedly prompted by Michelle Obama missing the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, where Barack Obama was seen smiling and conversing with President Donald Trump. The simpler explanation for her absence is that she simply did not want to attend. However, the rumor spread like wildfire, with various media outlets picking up on the claim.
On October 3, 2024, Jennifer Aniston appeared on Jimmy Kimmel’s show and vehemently denied the rumor, stating it was “completely untrue” and that she had never had a romantic relationship with Barack Obama. She also revealed that she has met him once and knows Michelle Obama better, claiming that she has a good relationship with her. The hosts of “Who? Weekly” also linked to the satirical essay and acknowledged that the rumor could be made up. Despite having no factual evidence and the indication of its fictional origins, the rumor still persists.