Michelle Obama’s brother, Craig Robinson, recently shared that he initially doubted her relationship with Barack Obama would last beyond a month when they first began dating. Robinson made this revelation 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 initial skepticism, stating, “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.
The former first lady disagreed with her brother’s account, pointing out that she had other long-term relationships before meeting Barack. Robinson, however, laughed off her disagreement, suggesting he did not consider those relationships significant.
Robinson continued to discuss their mother Marian’s first impressions of Barack, highlighting her appreciation of his height. Despite this optimistic view, Robinson admitted, “And I said to myself, too bad it’s not going to last.”
The conversation took an interesting turn when Robinson disclosed that Michelle had requested he play basketball with Barack to evaluate his character. Although initially reluctant, Robinson agreed to this arrangement, hoping not to be involved in his sister’s “dirty work” if Barack was not a “good guy.”
“This is what I learned,” Robinson explained on the podcast. “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 mentioned that his evaluation of Barack’s character through basketball was influenced by a lesson from his father, who taught him that a person’s nature can be revealed through pick-up basketball. Following their game, Robinson reported back to Michelle that “everything was fine” with Barack, adding, “the rest was history.”
This podcast episode came at a time when divorce rumors about the Obamas were circulating. Speculations increased after Michelle missed President Jimmy Carter’s funeral and President Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony earlier this year, both of which Barack attended alone.
Michelle addressed these rumors not on her podcast, but during an appearance on a podcast hosted by actress Sophia Bush. She clarified that her decision to skip these events was a personal choice, not a sign of marital discord.
Michelle explained to Bush that the events occurred around her birthday, which led her to stay in Hawaii while her husband returned to Washington, D.C. She expressed frustration that her choices were perceived as anything other than a personal matter of autonomy.
Michelle suggested that society often struggles to accept women making independent choices that defy traditional stereotypes. She noted that assumptions about her and Barack divorcing were made because people couldn’t comprehend her making decisions independently as a grown woman.
She further explained to Bush that women often face challenges in disappointing others, sometimes neglecting their own needs. She emphasized that when women begin to prioritize their own needs, their decisions are often negatively judged if they do not align with societal norms.
The IMO podcast marks a new venture for Michelle and her brother Craig, offering their perspectives and experiences on various personal topics. The format enables them to provide candid insights while leveraging their sibling relationship.
At the beginning of the episode focused on dating, Michelle expressed her interest in the topic, acknowledging that she hadn’t been part of the dating scene for a long time. She mentioned enjoying the discussion, despite not being involved in dating for decades, referencing her 32-year marriage to Barack.
While Michelle has reduced her public appearances, she remains active in advocacy work, continuing to deliver speeches and engage in projects, with a particular focus on girls’ education. Last year, she gave a prominent speech at the Democratic National Convention, advocating support for Kamala Harris in the presidential election.
The basketball evaluation Robinson conducted years ago appears to have been an accurate measure of Barack’s character. The Obamas marked their 32nd wedding anniversary last year, contradicting Robinson’s initial month-long prediction.
Michelle has previously written about the challenges in their marriage, especially during Barack’s political career and their time in the White House. However, the couple has worked through these challenges, with Michelle mentioning in past interviews that they have sought marriage counseling when necessary.
Michelle’s decision to miss President Trump’s inauguration in January marked a deviation from traditional protocol, in which former presidents and their spouses typically attend, regardless of party affiliation. Notably, neither Donald nor Melania Trump attended Joe Biden’s 2020 inauguration, setting a recent precedent for such absences.
