Michelle Obama’s brother, Craig Robinson, recently disclosed that he initially doubted the longevity of her relationship with Barack Obama. This revelation was made during an episode of their podcast, “IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson,” where they discussed dating with guest Tracee Ellis Ross.
Robinson recounted his first impression when Michelle began dating Barack, saying, “And I’ve told this story many times about when you first started dating Barack. So Mich starts to date Barack, and we don’t know who this guy is, we’re just like, Barack? Who’s got a name like Barack? And I’m thinking it’s gonna last a month like most of your relationships,” during the podcast episode.
Michelle contested her brother’s perspective, asserting she had several long-term relationships before meeting Barack. Robinson brushed off her protests with a laugh, suggesting he didn’t view those relationships as significant.
Robinson also recalled their mother Marian’s first impression of Barack, noting her admiration for his height. Despite this, Robinson admitted, “And I said to myself, too bad it’s not going to last.”
The conversation shifted when Robinson shared how Michelle requested that he play basketball with Barack as a way to gauge his character. Initially hesitant, Robinson agreed, despite telling her he didn’t want to do her “dirty work” if Barack turned out to be a “bad dude.”
Robinson explained his findings from the basketball game on the podcast, stating, “This is what I learned. Aside from the fact that he is tremendously left-handed so he couldn’t go right at all, most importantly, he was a team player, right? He fit in with the people.”
Robinson discussed how he adopted this evaluation method from his father, who believed a person’s character could be assessed through how they play pick-up basketball. After the game, Robinson assured Michelle that “everything was fine” with Barack, leading to what he described as “the rest was history.”
The timing of this podcast episode is notable amid ongoing divorce rumors about the Obamas. The speculation intensified following Michelle’s absence from President Jimmy Carter’s funeral in Georgia and President Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington, D.C., earlier this year, which Barack attended alone.
Michelle addressed these speculations on a podcast hosted by actress Sophia Bush, clarifying that her absence from these events was due to personal choices unrelated to marital issues.
Michelle mentioned to Bush that the events coincided with her birthday, and she opted to stay in Hawaii while Barack traveled. She expressed frustration at the assumption that her decisions indicated marital strife.
Michelle suggested that society often struggles to accept women’s independent choices that defy stereotypes. She noted that assumptions about divorce arose because people couldn’t imagine she was making decisions independently as a mature woman.
She explained to Bush that women often face challenges when prioritizing their needs, and when they start questioning their motivations, their choices are frequently viewed negatively if they don’t align with societal norms.
The “IMO” podcast is a new project for Michelle and her brother Craig, offering a platform for them to share their perspectives on personal issues. Their close relationship provides a foundation for candid discussions.
At the start of the episode focused on dating, Michelle expressed her interest in the topic, acknowledging that it had been a long time since she was part of the dating scene. She noted her enjoyment in discussing dating, despite her 32-year marriage to Barack.
Though Michelle has reduced her public appearances, she continues her advocacy work, delivering speeches and focusing on projects such as girls’ education. Last year, she gave a significant address at the Democratic National Convention, advocating for Kamala Harris in the presidential election.
Robinson’s basketball evaluation of Barack seems to have been a strong indicator of his character. The Obamas marked their 32nd wedding anniversary last year, disproving Robinson’s initial prediction of a short-lived relationship.
Michelle has previously written about the challenges in their marriage, especially during Barack’s political career and their time in the White House. The couple has consistently worked through these challenges, with Michelle noting in past interviews that they sought marriage counseling when necessary.
Michelle’s decision to miss President Trump’s inauguration in January was a notable deviation from protocol, where former presidents and their spouses typically attend regardless of political affiliation. However, both Donald and Melania Trump skipped Joe Biden’s 2020 inauguration, setting a recent precedent for such absences.