Michelle Obama Reveals Secret Medical Procedure Barack Underwent in White House as Divorce Rumors Intensify

For months, rumors have circulated suggesting that former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama may be heading toward divorce.

Whispers of the couple living “separate lives” have persisted, and recent revelations from Michelle herself have only added fuel to the fire.

On a recent episode of her In My Opinion (IMO) podcast, Michelle shared a previously unknown story from their White House years—one that cast new light on Barack’s physical health, her frustrations during his presidency, and, for some, the state of their marriage.

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Speaking with her brother and podcast co-host, Craig Robinson, Michelle candidly recalled a significant injury Barack suffered while playing basketball, one she views as a moment of personal vindication.

“I made Barack put his basketball shoes up once he got his lip busted when he was in the White House playing a pickup game,” Michelle said. “I don’t think many people realize this because he was definitely in shape, athletic.”

The incident in question occurred in 2010, and according to Michelle, Craig had also been playing in that game on the White House court. Michelle recalled that she was with a doctor at the time when she got word that something had gone wrong.

“I’m like, ‘Ugh,’ because I’m always like, ‘Be careful playing basketball. You shouldn’t be playing now. You now have a real important job,’” Michelle explained.

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“And literally, he’s coming in with a gauze thing on his lip… he needed like 30-something stitches.”

The injury turned out to be more serious than the public originally knew.

Obama nails three-pointer while campaigning with Biden in Michigan pic.twitter.com/V2x5Ra8mGQ

— The Independent (@Independent) November 1, 2020

At the time, the White House downplayed the event, explaining that Barack had been accidentally elbowed in the mouth by Rey Decerega, a staffer with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.

In a public statement, Decerega described the president as “both a tough competitor and a good sport.”

Yet Michelle’s recent recounting hints that there was more to the story—and more concern from her side—than was publicly disclosed.

She also noted that the timing couldn’t have been worse. Barack was set to deliver a major speech at a bipartisan Congressional leadership meeting in the Eisenhower Executive Office just days later.

“He had some major speech on Monday, and I was, like, ‘This is what I’m saying. You know, you’re playing like you’re 10 and now your lip is split,’” Michelle said, adding a note of exasperation.

Though the anecdote was told with humor and sibling banter, it struck a chord with listeners already sensitive to the persistent reports of marital strain between the former First Couple.

These tensions appeared to go public earlier this year when Michelle was noticeably absent from two major political events: the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and the inauguration of Donald Trump.

Mooch reveals major medical procedure Barack underwent while in office

Also known has “he bit his lip”:https://t.co/ceJqxRYqvP pic.twitter.com/xMfCkg8KEf

— FutureTrump2️⃣⏺2️⃣4⃣🍊 (@RealTrump2020_) April 22, 2025

Michelle was the only living former First Lady who did not attend either occasion, leaving Barack to appear alone and prompting a wave of speculation.

Political commentator Meghan McCain addressed the rumors head-on during journalist Tara Palmeri’s podcast in January.

“I have been hearing this rumor that the Obamas are getting a divorce by reputable people,” McCain claimed.

“I’m not talking about TMZ, I’m not talking about Perez Hilton, although I love him, he’s my friend. I’m talking about like very serious journalists telling me that they’re hearing that the Obama divorce rumors are true.”

Palmeri, who has covered Washington politics for years, responded, “We’ve heard that for a long time… Like I just heard that they live separate lives.”

Though the Obamas have not officially commented on the divorce rumors, Michelle’s recent comments—while anecdotal and possibly lighthearted in tone—have done little to silence the speculation.

In fact, some critics argue that airing details about Barack’s secret White House injury, combined with a sense of “I told you so” from Michelle, reflects underlying marital strain.

Meghan McCain spills on Obama divorce rumors amid claims they ‘live separate lives pic.twitter.com/8tR3d3eQAt

— Simo Saadi🇺🇸🇲🇦 (@Simo7809957085) January 23, 2025

In the world of public figures, personal moments like these are rarely shared without consequence.

For supporters of the Obamas, the story may serve as a reminder of their human moments and shared struggles.

For skeptics, however, it reads like another sign that their personal partnership may be on shakier ground than previously believed.

Whether the former First Couple is simply navigating the normal ebbs and flows of a long marriage or facing a more permanent separation, one thing is clear: public interest in their relationship isn’t fading anytime soon.

And as more private stories come to light—particularly from Michelle herself—the speculation will likely continue to grow.

Only time will tell whether Barack and Michelle’s marriage endures yet another chapter in the public eye.

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