Michelle Obama has made her first appearance on Instagram since speculation about her marriage to Barack Obama began swirling.
In a new video, the former first lady announced a partnership between her charity, Reach Higher, and the American School Counselor Association.
Dressed in a stylish patterned blazer and statement earrings, Michelle praised school counselors, calling them the “beating heart” of the education system. “This critical work often goes unnoticed, and that’s why I’ve been working for years to make sure they get the recognition they deserve,” she said.
Divorce rumors continue despite united front
Michelle’s fresh-faced video comes as whispers of a split persist. Speculation grew after Barack attended former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral alone, and Michelle was noticeably absent from President Donald Trump’s inauguration last month.
Still, the couple has taken steps to push back against the rumors. Last week, Barack released a statement regarding the tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C., using collective language like “our hearts break” and “Michelle and I send our prayers.” The couple also made a joint announcement about The Obama Presidential Center honoring Hadiya Pendleton, a murdered honor roll student.
Barack’s birthday tribute aims to silence speculation
On Michelle’s 61st birthday last month, Barack shared a heartfelt message calling her the “love of his life,” seemingly shutting down talk of trouble in their marriage.
However, he now faces fresh controversy over his Obama Presidential Center, as one of the project’s black-owned subcontractors has accused the main construction firm of racial discrimination.
Obama presidential center faces mounting issues
The Chicago-based center has been plagued by lawsuits, cost overruns, and construction delays. Some donors, including Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Airbnb’s Brian Chesky—who each contributed $100 million in 2022—are reportedly backing away from further funding.
With rumors swirling and financial troubles looming, the Obamas are working hard to maintain a united front.
