Michelle Obama has been involved in many scandals and controversies, though not all have a direct connection to her decisions or behaviors. The former first lady was dragged into rumors about Barack Obama’s infidelity, her name was mentioned in a national security breach, and when Melania Trump was accused of plagiarizing Michelle Obama’s speech, Michelle was pressed to express sympathy toward the Trump matriarch. In addition to these, numerous unfavorable headlines have been made about her lifestyle and fashion tastes.

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People also took quick notice of Michelle Obama’s speech mistakes. Even her effort to encourage positive change in the country can be taken the wrong way. One thing Michelle is used to is criticism, and even though she thrived to avoid controversy, it seems that scandals have a way of finding her.

On “The Light Podcast” in 2023, Michelle talked about how she tried her best to maintain a scandal-free administration during her husband’s term at the White House. “Our children had to show up right in the world,” she said in the first episode. “They carried a burden of making sure they weren’t messy, because it wouldn’t have been laughed off … It would’ve been some bigger statement about the soul of Black folks.” The former first lady stressed that she didn’t underestimate the weight she carried as the first Black woman to serve as first lady in U.S. history, but the burden was a lot to bear. “That weight is exhausting when you’re carrying that.”

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Sometimes, Michelle Obama doesn’t have to do anything to be linked to a controversy. Scandals have a way of following her years after Barack Obama finished his term as president. In 2024, Michelle was at the center of a wild scandal surrounding the Obamas’ Hawaii home where a Secret Service agent allegedly breached protocol by inviting his girlfriend to the property.

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In Koryeah Dwanyen’s self-published book, “Undercover Heartbreak: a Memoir of Trust and Trauma,” the author claimed that her boyfriend, under the pseudonym, Dale, worked as the Obamas’ security detail, and while stationed at the Hawaii mansion in 2022, Dale tried to woo her by suggesting fooling around in Michelle’s bathroom while she was on vacation. “We should have sex in Michelle [Obama’s] bathroom, like a mile-high club,” Dwanyen recalled in the book.

Not only was she once inside the Obamas’ home, but the author also shared that she knew things she wasn’t supposed to know about the former first lady. “I knew what day Orange Theory was, what day [Michelle Obama] had private tennis lessons and when her personal trainer came.” Being a walking national security threat may sound thrilling to some, but the whole thing didn’t sit well with Dwanyen, who eventually decided to come clean to her boyfriend’s boss. “As soon as the Secret Service became aware of the incident, the agent involved was immediately suspended and after a full investigation, terminated,” a spokesperson at the Secret Service told the Independent.

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Michelle Obama’s marriage has many worried following Barack Obama’s political ascension. Over the years, she’s been dragged into a few affair rumors. In Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David J. Garrow’s 2017 biography about the former president titled, “Rising Star: The Making of Barack Obama,” the author interviewed Barack’s former flame, Sheila Miyoshi Jager, and wrote that he had proposed to her twice before meeting Michelle. “In the winter of ’86, when we visited my parents, he asked me to marry him,” Jager told Garrow. She turned down the proposal because she wasn’t ready. The two had a fallout before Barack left for Harvard Law School, and he proposed to her again out of desperation. According to Garrow’s book, the two continued seeing each other in the early 1990s after Barack had started seeing Michelle, to which Jager expressed her guilt.

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Another instance when Michelle was pulled into one of her husband’s cheating rumors was when claims surfaced about Barack Obama having an affair with “Friends” star, Jennifer Aniston. Reports have depicted the two being obsessed with each other. In 2024, Anniston broke the silence on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” when asked about whether there was some truth to the claim. “No, that is absolutely untrue,” she said (via Fox News). “I’ve met him once. I know Michelle more than him.” She further clarified that she was not dating Michelle either.

In 2025, Michelle Obama made a controversial decision by not attending Donald Trump’s second inauguration. Hours before the occasion, which coincided with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, she posted a quote from the American civil rights leader. “This time is always right to do what is right,” she shared on Instagram. “Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service always inspires me.” She further advocated for others to join her in celebrating King’s legacy and showing support for the non-profit group When We All Vote. “Whether you’re mentoring students at your local school or volunteering for a cause that matters to you, it all helps make a difference.” Michelle also urged her followers to write their giving-back story in the comment section.

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While many supported her practice of free will and standing up for what she believes in, the former first lady’s absence also led to concerns about her marriage, given that Barack Obama was in attendance at Trump’s second inauguration. The couple’s divided political stands led to further speculations about a potential divorce and separation. “It’s now been two important events that Michelle chose to not attend leaving Obama by himself. Very disrespectful,” one commenter wrote under her post, likely referring to the former first lady skipping Jimmy Carter’s funeral, which her husband attended. “Michelle where are you? We miss you and you better not divorce that good man,” another wrote.

Following the affair rumors came divorce speculations about the Obamas. Michelle Obama’s no-show at Trump’s second inauguration further fueled the controversy. Amidst rumors about the couple’s marriage being in trouble, the Obamas also reportedly lost support from major influential people. On January 17, 2025, Barack Obama took to social media to shut down the wild claims by sharing a heartfelt birthday wish to his wife and a photo of the two holding hands together across a dining table. 

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Happy birthday to the love of my life, @MichelleObama. You fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humor, 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! pic.twitter.com/WTrvxlNVa4

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 17, 2025

Michelle retweeted the post and supported her husband’s effort by writing, “Love you, honey!” Still, the former first lady couldn’t escape further claims about her marriage falling apart.

The late U.S. Senator John McCain’s daughter Meghan McCain told Tara Palmeri what she knew about the couple on the “Citizen McCain” podcast. “I have been hearing this rumor that the Obamas are getting a divorce by reputable people,” Meghan claimed. She further clarified what her sources were. “I’m talking about like very serious journalists telling me that they’re hearing that the Obama divorce rumors are true.” She stressed that though the divorce rumor itself was yesterday’s news, what she recently heard was something else. “I just heard that they live separate lives.” Meghan further pointed out how the low quality of the photo Barack shared didn’t help with the rumors. “I would kill Ben [Domenech] if he put a picture of me looking like no makeup with that lighting on social media,” said Meghan. 

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In 2016, Melania Trump delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention with nearly half of the same words as Michelle Obama’s 2008 speech at the Democratic National Convention. Comparisons of the two speeches began to surface. The Trump campaign spokesperson, Jason Miller, addressed the issue by denying claims of plagiarism at all levels. However, Meredith McIver, a staff writer working at the Trump campaign came forth to admit fault. “This was my mistake and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama,” said McIver (via NPR). She revealed that Melania took notes from Michelle’s 2008 speech to include in her own speech.

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Michelle Obama was unfortunately dragged into the other political party’s plagiarism mess. She was asked during “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” whether she had sympathy for Melania being criticized for copying her speech after the host explicitly shared that he had sympathized with her. The then-first lady replied, though not without a hint of sarcasm, “Yeah, that was tough.”

When asked whether she was sympathetic toward the spouses of politicians, Michelle said no, explaining that everyone had a choice. “Bottom line is, if I didn’t agree with what Barack was saying, I would not support his run, so I stand there proudly, and I hope they are, too, standing with their spouses proudly, so no sympathy.”

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While Michelle Obama has been the unwilling participant and the center of attention in scandals that had little to do with what she did, some of the decisions she made also attracted criticism. In 2009, Michelle was volunteering at a food bank in Washington D.C. when her French designer sneakers caused chatter surrounding privilege and being out of touch with the average American.

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The then-first lady’s casual display of wealth at the occasion didn’t sit well with the media. “Early Show” co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez pointed out that Michelle treated them as cheap shoes, completely ignoring how pricy they were. “She used them to walk the dog,” said Rodriguez, per CBS News. “She says she wakes up at 5:00 in the morning to walk her dog, and her response to all this was, ‘They’re just shoes,’ but they’re expensive shoes.”

Daily News Fashion Editor Amy Diluna explained (via CBS News), that the stylish metallic pink toe caps and suede shoes were clear signs of fashion, revealing that they were likely from the French designer house Lanvin, one of fashions’ hottest labels, which clearly aligned with the then-first lady’s lavish lifestyle. “A week ago, Michelle shoveled dirt at a tree planting while wearing the line’s chiffon tank,” said Diluna. “Dresses and strappy pumps cost upward of $1,500, while tops go for $400 to $1,000.”

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In 2018, Michelle Obama went on a 10-city North American book tour to promote her memoir, “Becoming,” a book that touches on poverty and perseverance, detailing her upbringing in South Chicago, where she grew up sleeping in the living room with her brother, and used to see Pizza as a luxury. While her story serves as an inspiration for those with little means, the tour consisted of exorbitant ticket prices that alienated those who supported her. There were 20,000 seats priced at $29.50 at the Chicago event, which were sold out within minutes. The only ones left ranged from $500 to $3,000, which meant the book tour was more of a luxury for the elite than for the masses that Michelle serves.

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Michelle Duster, author of the book, “Michelle Obama’s Impact on African American Women and Girls,” and an admirer of the former first lady, was disheartened by the hypocrisy. “I didn’t anticipate the lowest price would be $500, five minutes into the ticket sales,” Duster said, per CBS News. “I think there’s a disconnect: what they stand for, what they have stood for and worked for, and the ticket prices.”

Fans also took to social media to express their frustration. “I love Michelle Obama, I do. She is everything. But I am sorely disappointed in how expensive these book tour tickets are,” one fan tweeted (via the Daily Mail). 

Being a role model is tough. Sometimes, saying the wrong words can be catastrophic. In 2008, while supporting her husband’s first term as president, Michelle Obama’s speech contained a hint of dissatisfaction she had toward the U.S. before Barack Obama started his term. “For the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback,” she said during a rally in Milwaukee (via Fox News). She amended the speech at the next stop in Madison with an explanation, saying, “Not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change.” Based on the context, Michelle’s point seemed to reference how her husband has served as an inspiration for change in the political landscape. However, it’s also not surprising that this particular line received heat from politicians, especially those in the Republic party.

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“I don’t know if you heard those words earlier … but I am very proud of my country,” said Cindy McCain, the wife of the late U.S. Senator John McCain, per Fox News. John supported his wife’s statement and responded to Michelle’s controversial speech. “I just wanted to make the statement that I have and always will be proud of my country.”

Barack Obama came forth to defend Michelle, though it didn’t seem like he made it better. “What she was referring to is this was the first time she’d been proud of politics in America,” he said (via CBS News).

From Michelle Obama’s official White House portrait, where she wore a sleeveless black Michael Kors shift dress, to her purple sleeveless ensemble at Barack Obama’s first congressional address in 2009, showing off her toned arms has been one of Michelle’s signature styles, but her right to show bare arms was not without controversy. Chicago Tribune’s style reporter Wendy Donahue revealed at the time that they had received hundreds of comments concerning Michelle Obama’s daring outfits. “Most of the complaints centered on the dress conveying a sense of informality on a serious occasion,” Donahue told ABC News. The reporter shared that commenters noted how Michelle’s sleeveless outfits were in contrast with the winter season and business setting. However, some also believed that the sharp criticisms were motivated by something malicious.

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Jackie Kennedy’s social secretary, Letitia Baldridge, explained to HuffPost that the fashion itself has existed for a long time. “We wore sleeveless dresses all the time,” Baldridge said, pointing out that Jackie loved sleeveless outfits as well. “It was the fashion of the times and it was fine then and is fine now for wearing in the White House.”

William Jelani Cobb, a professor of American history at Spelman College, explained that the criticisms reflected a high level of sexism and served to strip away the then-first lady’s complexity and intelligence. “We’ve reduced it to what her arms look like and what she’s wearing,” said Cobb (via SFGate). The historian believed that many felt intimated by her accomplishments.

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Michelle Obama has been a strong advocate for healthy school meals. From her initiative, Let’s Move!, to the official passing of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 and the new USDA guidelines in 2012, she was instrumental in changing the country’s public school meal program. Michelle’s actions certainly came from a good place and brought forth changes that had real-life impacts. “As first lady, this isn’t just a policy issue for me,” she stated on the Let’s Move! official website. “This is my passion. This is my mission.”

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Jessica Jones-Smith, a core faculty in the Nutritional Sciences Program at the UW School of Public Health, explained the new standards’ tremendous impact. “Pre-pandemic it served over 30 million children per day,” Jones-Smith said in an interview with the University of Washington. “Additionally, this policy holds potential to more positively impact lower-income children.” 

However, this was under the impression that students were eating their meals, since refusing their lunch would offer no nutritional benefit. After the launch of the new standards, studies have shown a significant increase in waste. Students were throwing away vegetables and fruits. Some even took to social media to complain about how the then-first lady ruined their school lunch with the hashtag #ThanksMichelleObama. “Grilled cheese and plastic for lunch..yummy ??????” tweeted one commenter in a since-deleted post on X (via ABC News). “This is considered a “meal” #ThanksMichelleObama,” wrote another.

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