Overview

• Barack Obama joined Michelle Obama’s IMO podcast on July 14 for the couple’s first joint comments directly challenging split speculation.
• Michelle Obama declared that she had never thought about leaving her husband and said their marriage has made her a better person.
• During the episode, Barack joked “She took me back! It was touch and go for a while” after Craig Robinson teased the couple.
• Drawing on his fatherless childhood, Barack Obama warned of the risks of overlooking boys’ well-being and discussed challenges of raising a son.
• Speculation had swelled after Michelle skipped high-profile events earlier this year, including President Trump’s inauguration and former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral.