Rumors about a rift between former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama began circulating after it was announced that Michelle would not be attending Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, leaving Obama to attend alone.
The couple has been seen less frequently together in public since they delivered speeches at the Democratic National Convention five months ago.
Michelle Obama also skipped the state funeral of Jimmy Carter earlier this month, citing scheduling conflicts as the reason. It later emerged that she was on vacation in Hawaii without her husband, as reported by The Telegraph.
However, the former president has now dismissed the rumors by posting a photo on Instagram and X, where he and his wife enjoyed dinner together on her birthday, calling her “the love of my life.”
“Happy birthday to the love of my life, Michelle Obama. 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,” Obama wrote.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 17, 2025