Rumours about a romantic relationship between former US President Barack Obama and Hollywood actress Jennifer Aniston have taken over social media.
These claims, unverified and largely speculative, have fuelled further gossip about the state of Barack and Michelle Obama’s marriage.
How the Obama-Aniston affair rumours started
The current wave of rumours began with a leaked social media direct message (DM) that suggested Barack Obama was romantically involved with Jennifer Aniston.
The message, reportedly from someone with connections to Aniston’s inner circle, alleged that at a gathering among her friends, she casually admitted to the affair. The conversation was said to involve a psychic.
These claims gained momentum online, despite their dubious origins. Jennifer Aniston had previously addressed similar rumours in October 2024.
Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live!she denied the claims outright, calling them “absolutely untrue” and dismissing the tabloid speculation. She clarified, “I’ve only met Barack Obama once and know Michelle Obama better than him.”
However, the resurgence of these rumours, now tied to
alleged marital discord between Barack and Michelle Obamahas reignited public interest.
Michelle Obama’s absences
Further fuelling the gossip are Michelle Obama’s recent absences from significant public events. Most notably, Michelle did not attend the funeral of former US President Jimmy Carter, a decision that raised eyebrows across political and social circles.
Critics also revisited her absence from Donald Trump’s inauguration, viewing it as a pattern of disengagement.
Megyn Kelly, host of The Megyn Kelly Showweighed in on these developments, stating, “There seems to be some momentum picking up in the rumour mill about their marriage.” She added, “Michelle Obama skipping the funeral of former US president Jimmy Carter raised eyebrows, and her absence from Trump’s inauguration only confirmed that something was going on between her and Barack.”
Michelle’s office, however, attributed her absences to scheduling conflicts, yet the public and media remain divided over whether these explanations fully address the speculation.
Barack Obama’s birthday tribute
Amid the mounting rumours, Barack Obama’s recent Instagram post celebrating Michelle’s birthday became another focal point for gossip. The post read:
“Happy birthday to the love of my life, @MichelleObama. 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!”
While the message seemed heartfelt to many, others dissected it for hidden meaning. Critics noted the use of “Love you!” instead of “I love you!” and the accompanying photo, which showed the couple seated across a dining table with their hands reaching toward one another, as signs of a strained relationship.
Meghan McCain, speaking on a podcast, even described the post as “damage control,” adding fuel to the fire.
McCain claimed, “Very serious journalists are saying the Obama divorce rumours are true,” while political reporter Tara Palmeri echoed similar sentiments, noting, “We’ve heard that for a long time … they live separate lives.”
How the public has reacted
As the rumours continue to circulate, public opinion has been divided. Some social media users have dismissed the affair rumours as baseless, with one commenter stating, “Don’t buy the J. Aniston stuff, but this would be a shocking development for sure.” Others, however, have entertained the possibility, viewing it as a political bombshell.
One user wrote, “An Obama divorce would be the political earthquake no one saw coming. Isn’t just personal news; it’s a political event of magnitude.”
Meanwhile, some critics have pointed out the absurdity of dissecting a simple birthday post or basing claims on unverified rumours. “A boomer’s birthday post is evidence of marital strife now? Oof,” one commentator remarked, reflecting scepticism toward the ongoing speculation.
Not the first Obama-Aniston rumour
This isn’t the first time Barack Obama and Jennifer Aniston have been linked in the tabloids. In 2024, InTouch magazine published a cover story titled “The Truth About Jen & Barack,” claiming the two were romantically involved. However, Jennifer Aniston promptly denied the allegations, reiterating that she had met Barack only once.
Despite her denial, the rumours have resurfaced, this time coupled with speculation about marital discord between Barack and Michelle Obama.
At this point, no concrete evidence supports the claims of an affair between Barack Obama and Jennifer Aniston. Both parties have remained silent on the matter, and Aniston’s previous denials stand unchallenged.
With inputs from agencies